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Entry Level Materials Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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Entry Level Materials Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$37.7K

$99.9K

$156.6K

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

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level materials engineer in Virginia is $99,874.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,300.00 and $115,500.00 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 Does an Entry-Level Materials Engineer Do?

Material engineers can work for companies that manufacture a wide range of products. As an entry-level materials engineer, your duties are similar to a materials engineer with more experience, although you may have limited responsibilities. Depending on the industry in which you work, you come up with solutions for technical problems, improve product design to help optimize the quality and cost of production, and help complete projects and other tasks. As an entry-level materials engineer, you work closely with process development and production teams testing products and streamlining production. You may learn more skills while on-the-job, which can open up more opportunities and responsibilities as a materials engineer.

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 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 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 Virginia? The most popular types of Materials Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Entry Level Materials Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Entry Level Materials Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Materials Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $99,874 per year, or $48 per hour.

Associate, Materials & Processes Engineering (Orange, VA)

L3HHCM20

Culpeper, VA • On-site

$5.9K - $110K/yr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Associate, Materials & Processes Engineering

Job Code: 39383

Job Location: Orange, VA

Job Description:

This role will be supporting rocket propulsion materials and process development. After orientation and training, new hire will perform entry-level engineering assignments under direct supervision of other engineers following established procedures and policies. This position will support senior engineering staff and provide interns experience and familiarization with our programs, processes and products. Projects may include materials engineering support for propulsion hardware design and fabrication and test.

Tasks may also include assisting in the selection of materials for product definition and application, the calculation of design allowables from literature and experimental data, the performance of material properties testing, performing chemical analysis testing, and the generation of technical reports and presentations to document technical conclusions/findings. May also coordinate test activities in the laboratories.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • To be eligible, applicants must be pursuing aBachelor'sdegreein Material Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Welding Engineering, Chemistryor related fieldor have completed their Bachelor'sdegree within the last 12months,regardlessof age.  

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the  salary range for this role in Virginia is $59,00 - $110,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary 
based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.