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Entry Level Materials Science Engineering Jobs in Rhode Island

... engineering, and science students at the introductory college level. * Effective Teaching Methods: Ability to identify concepts students commonly struggle with, explain material using multiple ...

... pre-health, engineering, and science majors at the college level. * Effective Teaching Methods: Ability to identify concepts students commonly struggle with, explain material using multiple ...

Engineering Internships 2026

Middletown, RI · On-site

$16.75 - $21.75/hr

... materials, and electrical installation standard methods. Mechanical - Mechanical Engineering ... Must be pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering,Electrical ...

... science, engineering, and pre-health programs. * Effective Teaching Methods: Ability to identify concepts students commonly struggle with, explain material using multiple approaches, and adapt ...

Showing results 21-40

Entry Level Materials Science Engineering information

See Rhode Island salary details

$13

$26

$43

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

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level materials science engineering in Rhode Island is $26.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.09 and $32.26 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 Rhode Island? For Entry Level Materials Science Engineering jobs in Rhode Island, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Materials Science Engineering jobs in Rhode Island look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Materials Science Engineering jobs in Rhode Island are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Materials Science Engineering job openings in Rhode Island as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $54,418 per year, or $26.2 per hour.

DIRECTOR FOR USW NEXT GENERATION WEAPONS AND DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Newport, RI

$192K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 537 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

You will serve as the Director for Undersea Warfare (USW) Next Generation Weapons and Defensive Systems Distinguished Scientist/Engineer within the USW Weapons, Vehicles, and Defensive Systems Department, You serve as a senior expert leading advanced, independent research and direct the full spectrum of Science and Technology (S&T) and RDT&E efforts for next-generation undersea kinetic and non-kinetic weapons and defensive systems.
Qualifications:Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, your resume must show that you possess the Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications:
TQ 1: Extensive knowledge and specialization pertinent to undersea weapons, undersea vehicles and defensive systems, mines and sensors; Comprehensive knowledge in technical programs and systems associated with undersea weapons, vehicles and defensive systems. Knowledge of undersea warfare systems, including kinetic (e.g. torpedoes) and non kinetic weapons, undersea vehicles, targets and decoys, and surface and undersea underwater defensive systems and countermeasures.
TQ 2: Expert knowledge in performance of uncharted and independent undersea systems technology research, advanced development and systems engineering principles and concepts; Skill in execution of S&T and R&D activities in support of complex undersea warfare technology insertion, including gap and alternatives analyses and tradeoff studies, requirements definition, technology development, rapid prototyping, technology demonstration, Modeling and Simulation (M&S) and other technology insertion aspects.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF
AND
All Professional Engineering series, 08XX
General Physical Science series, 1301
Computer Science Series, 1550
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
For 08XX Professional Engineering Series:
A. Degree: Engineering. Successful completion of a bachelor's or higher engineering degree from an accredited college or university. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
-or-
B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
(I) Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions; or
(II) Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico; or
(III) Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A; or
(IV) Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive.)

For 1301- General Physical Science Series:
A. A degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education;
For 1550-Computer Science Series:
a. A degree in computer science; OR
b. A bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

An advanced degree of Master's or Ph.D. in one of the educational fields listed above is highly desirable.Employment Type: OTHER

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