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Entry Level Materials Engineer Jobs in California

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Entry Level Materials Engineer information

See California salary details

$37.5K

$99.4K

$155.9K

How much do entry level materials engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level materials engineer in California is $99,419.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level materials engineer do?

An entry level materials engineer assists in designing, testing, and analyzing materials used to create a wide variety of products, such as metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites. They often work under the supervision of senior engineers to conduct experiments, evaluate material properties, and support the development of new materials or processes. Their responsibilities may include preparing samples, collecting and interpreting data, and helping to solve technical problems related to materials. This role is crucial for ensuring products meet safety, quality, and performance standards.

What types of projects and responsibilities can an entry level materials engineer expect in their first year?

As an entry level materials engineer, you will typically assist in testing and analyzing materials, preparing reports on findings, and supporting senior engineers in ongoing projects. Common responsibilities include conducting laboratory experiments, helping select appropriate materials for specific applications, and collaborating with manufacturing teams to improve product quality. You may also participate in troubleshooting production issues and ensuring compliance with safety and industry standards. This hands-on experience is invaluable for building foundational skills and understanding the workflow of multidisciplinary teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level materials engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Materials Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, engineering principles, and analytical problem-solving, usually supported by a bachelor's degree in materials engineering or a related field. Familiarity with lab testing equipment, materials characterization software, and CAD tools is commonly required. Strong teamwork, effective communication, and keen attention to detail help you excel when collaborating on projects and presenting technical findings. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring the development of safe, reliable, and innovative materials solutions within engineering teams.

What is the difference between Entry Level Materials Engineer vs Materials Technician?

AspectEntry Level Materials EngineerMaterials Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Materials Science or EngineeringAssociate's degree or technical certification in materials or related field
Work EnvironmentDesign, analysis, and development in labs or officesTesting and inspection in labs or manufacturing settings
Industry UsageResearch, development, and product designQuality control and material testing

Entry Level Materials Engineers focus on designing and analyzing materials, often working in labs or offices, while Materials Technicians perform testing and quality checks on materials in manufacturing environments. Both roles require related educational backgrounds, but their daily tasks and responsibilities differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Materials Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Materials Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Materials Engineer jobs in California?

For Entry Level Materials Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Materials Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Materials Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Materials Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Entry Level Materials Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Materials Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,419 per year, or $47.8 per hour.

$74K - $94K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

This job post hasย expired 3 days ago.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Key responsibilities

  • Coordinate work with project owner representatives, architects, engineers, inspectors, and site subcontractors, and direct the work of all trades on the construction site.

  • Manage estimating, bidding processes, and track costs to ensure the project stays within budget.

  • Review project drawings, specifications, submittals, and change orders, and document the technical, financial, and personnel aspects of each project.


Job description


Please note:
  • The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including the disabled and veterans.

Whiting-Turner Entry-Level Engineers are team members who help manage all aspects of construction projects. Reporting to a Project Manager and/or a Superintendent, the Entry-Level Engineer's major duties include:
  • Coordinating work with project owner representatives, architects, engineers, inspectors, and site subcontractors and/or directing the work of all trades assigned to a construction work site.
  • Managing estimating and bidding processes and tracking costs to manage project budget.
  • Resolving and clarifying design issues.
  • Identifying and resolving field issues and change orders.
  • Writing contracts and purchase orders using company boilerplate language to document all ordered work, schedules, projected costs, change orders and technical specifications.
  • Participating in meetings to coordinate work and manage labor concerns.
  • Ensuring work is completed in accordance with quality standards and contract specifications.
  • Implementing project schedules including each task associated with project completion.
  • Documenting the technical, financial and personnel aspects of each project.
  • Reviewing project drawings, specifications, submittals and change orders.
  • Reviewing each trade's work progress with respect to each project phase.
  • Providing field support to construction superintendents to help ensure contract compliance, quality control and maintenance of the site.
  • Tracking project phase completion against milestones.
  • Setting expectations for managing a safe work site.
  • Documenting each phase of the project.

Required Skills
Whiting-Turner will train qualified candidates to develop:
  • General knowledge of safety regulations, ANSI standards, local and state building codes, environmental codes, availability of industry-specific codes and guidelines.
  • General knowledge of general construction processes, practices and work sites.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Suretrak, Primavera (or other scheduling software.

Required Experience
Basic qualifications for Entry-Level Engineer candidates include:
  • Bachelor of Science in an Engineering discipline, Engineering Technology or Construction Management, Construction Technology.
  • Knowledge of engineering principles.
  • Knowledge of basic business principles sufficient to project and monitor expenses.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word and Excel.
  • Ability to read and understand technical specifications, blueprints, technical manuals, product/material installation instructions and engineering/architectural drawings.
  • Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
  • Experience with construction projects, mechanical/electrical systems, building materials, building mechanics or working with craft workers.

This job application routes to following locations:
    • Sacramento
    • Pleasanton
    • Millbrae
    • Sherman Oaks
    • Downtown Los Angeles
    • Irvine
    • Temecula
    • San Diego

The Company's salary ranges are dependent on a number of factors including but not limited to role, level and location. Individual pay is determined through interviews and an assessment of various factors, including but not limited to job-related skills, relevant education and experience, applicant's abilities and market and business considerations. The annual base salary range listed is subject to change at any time, in the Company's discretion, and does not alter in any way the at-will nature of the employment relationship. The foregoing information reflects base salary only and does not include other forms of available compensation to which employees may be entitled including but not limited to profit sharing, stock appreciation rights, retirement compensation, travel subsistence, and other compensations/benefits, which are dependent upon various factors including but not limited to years of service, location, performance, etc.
This salary range is for California only.