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Entry Level Materials Science Engineering Jobs in Illinois

CHAMPRO

Textile & Raw Materials Specialist

Bannockburn, IL · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Textile Science, Textile Engineering, Textile Technology, and Material Science. Company Culture: We are proud to offer eligible associates a full-range of benefits including ...

CHAMPRO

Textile & Raw Materials Specialist

Deerfield, IL · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Textile Science, Textile Engineering, Textile Technology, and Material Science. Company Culture: We are proud to offer eligible associates a full-range of benefits including ...

Tekni-Plex

Join Our Talent Community

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$17.75 - $23.75/hr

You may bring a technical background, such as materials science, engineering, manufacturing, quality, R&D, operations, or IT, where problem-solving, precision, and innovation are central to what you ...

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All JobsMaterials Science Engineering JobsEntry Level Materials Science Engineering JobsEntry Level Materials Science Engineering Jobs in Illinois

Entry Level Materials Science Engineering information

See Illinois salary details

$13

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$42

How much do entry level materials science engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level materials science engineering in Illinois is $25.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.85 and $31.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as an entry level materials science engineer?

As an entry level materials science engineer, you'll typically contribute to projects involving material selection, testing, and analysis under the guidance of senior engineers. Your responsibilities may include preparing samples, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and documenting results to support product development or process improvement. You may also assist in troubleshooting material-related issues and collaborate with cross-functional teams such as design, manufacturing, and quality assurance. This hands-on experience helps build foundational skills and provides insight into various industry applications.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Materials Science Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science principles, chemistry, physics, and engineering, usually supported by a bachelor’s degree in materials science or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, materials characterization techniques (such as SEM, XRD), and CAD or simulation software is commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help you stand out. These abilities are essential for solving complex materials challenges, ensuring quality, and collaborating efficiently within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

What is the difference between Entry Level Materials Science Engineering vs Entry Level Mechanical Engineering?

AspectEntry Level Materials Science EngineeringEntry Level Mechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Materials Science or Engineering, internshipsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, internships
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing, quality controlDesign, testing, manufacturing, R&D
Industry UsageMaterials development, nanotechnology, compositesAutomotive, aerospace, energy systems

Entry Level Materials Science Engineering focuses on developing and testing new materials, often in research or manufacturing settings. In contrast, Entry Level Mechanical Engineering involves designing and analyzing mechanical systems. Both roles require a bachelor's degree and internships, but they serve different industry needs and work environments.

What does an entry level materials science engineer do?

Entry level materials science engineers assist in researching, designing, and testing materials used in a wide range of products and industries. They often work under the supervision of senior engineers, helping to analyze material properties, conduct experiments, and prepare technical reports. Their tasks can also include supporting manufacturing processes, evaluating new materials, and ensuring quality standards are met. This role provides foundational experience and exposure to various materials, such as metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites.
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Materials Science Engineering jobs in Illinois? For Entry Level Materials Science Engineering jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Materials Science Engineering jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Materials Science Engineering jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Entry Level Materials Science Engineering jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Entry Level Materials Science Engineering job openings:
Entry Level Materials Science Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Materials Science Engineering job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Internship, 67% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 4% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,846 per year, or $25.9 per hour.

Assistant Beamline Scientist - PtychoProbe

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, IL

$94K - $147K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

The Microscopy Group of the X-ray Science Division (XSD) operates advanced microprobe and nanoprobe beamlines, develops novel instrumentation and methods, and pursues collaborative research in materials, energy, life, and quantum sciences. PtychoProbe (33-ID) is a state-of-the-art hard x-ray nanoprobe designed for high-resolution structural imaging with complementary chemical sensitivity, enabling two- and three-dimensional studies of complex and thick specimens and helping bridge capabilities between x-ray and electron microscopy. We seek a highly motivated scientist to join the PtychoProbe team and contribute to commissioning, operation, user support, and method development for this new beamline.

Responsibilities:

  • Contribute to commissioning, operation, and continued development of the PtychoProbe beamline.

  • Support users in planning and carrying out scientific experiments, including data analysis and interpretation.

  • Collaborate with beamline staff and partner groups to develop advanced microscopy methods, instrumentation, and workflows for the upgraded APS.

  • Contribute to scientific applications enabled by the beamline in areas such as materials, energy, chemical, life, or quantum sciences.

  • Present research results through publications, conferences, and scientific meetings.

  • May be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

  • PhD in physics, materials science, chemistry, engineering, or a closely related field.

  • Experience in experimental x-ray science, synchrotron methods, beamline instrumentation, microscopy, or a closely related area.

  • Demonstrated ability to contribute to scientific instrumentation, experimental methods, or data analysis.

  • Experience analyzing scientific data using modern computational tools and scientific programming environments.

  • Ability to work effectively both independently and in a collaborative, team-based research environment.

  • Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

  • Interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, and ability to interact with people at all levels both within and outside the laboratory.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

  • Familiarity with one or more advanced x-ray microscopy methods, such as ptychography, x-ray fluorescence microscopy, tomography, or multimodal imaging.

  • Experience with synchrotron beamline instrumentation such as optics, detectors, motion systems, interferometry, controls, or data acquisition workflows.

  • Experience supporting user experiments or collaborating with external scientific users.

  • Experience in one or more application areas such as materials science, energy science, chemical science, life science, or quantum materials.

  • Familiarity with scientific software development, controls software, high-throughput data analysis, or AI/ML-enabled workflows.

The successful candidate will develop expertise in PtychoProbe methods, instrumentation, and workflows through close collaboration with beamline staff, users, and partner scientists. We invite applications from motivated and collaborative scientists who are excited to contribute to the commissioning, operation, and scientific growth of this new beamline. Please submit a resume and a cover letter describing your qualifications, research experience, and interest in the position.

Job Family

Research Development (RD)

Job Profile

Physics 2

Worker Type

Regular

Time Type

Full timeThe expected hiring range for this position is $94,486.00 - $147,398.94.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

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