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Graduate Materials Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

State of Iowa

Transportation Engineer Associate

Ames, IA · On-site

$66K - $103K/yr

Reviews quality control plans for materials suppliers and manufacturers Under the direction of the ... graduate with a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university within 10 ...

City of Bryan, TX

Graduate Civil Engineer

Bryan, TX · On-site

$65K - $80K/yr

Position Details Position Information Posting Number 2025459 Position Title Graduate Civil Engineer ... materials. * Read, write, and interpret technical specifications. * Exercise considerable ...

SF Demo - Rio Tinto

Graduate - Mine Engineer

Boron, CA · On-site

$75K - $109K/yr

... materials the world needs. We're looking for a recent graduate in Mining Engineering to work with ... our Mine Engineering Team at our mine and refinery site based inBoron,California. We are an open ...

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Graduate Materials Engineer information

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$40.5K

$92.6K

$118.5K

How much do graduate materials engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate materials engineer in the United States is $92,639.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,000.00 and $102,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High-level positions often require advanced degrees, certifications, and a track record of significant project management or innovation.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

While most graduate materials engineers earn significantly less, some senior or specialized engineers in high-demand industries, such as aerospace or oil and gas, can reach or exceed $500,000 annually with experience, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires advanced skills, extensive experience, and often leadership roles or consulting positions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Graduate Materials Engineer position, and why are they important?

A Graduate Materials Engineer typically needs a degree in materials science, engineering, or a related discipline, coupled with strong analytical, problem-solving, and laboratory skills. Familiarity with characterization tools such as scanning electron microscopes (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and CAD software is highly advantageous. Excellent communication, teamwork, and project management skills help graduates thrive in multidisciplinary engineering environments. These combined skills are critical to effectively investigate and improve material properties, contribute to innovative projects, and support organizational goals.

Is 40 too late to be an engineer?

Graduate Materials Engineers can enter the field at any age, as engineering careers often value skills, experience, and continuous learning over age. Many engineers start or transition into the profession later in life, and acquiring relevant certifications or degrees can facilitate entry regardless of age.

What is a Graduate Materials Engineer job?

A Graduate Materials Engineer is an entry-level role where you apply your knowledge of materials science to develop, test, and improve materials used in various industries. You may work with metals, polymers, ceramics, or composites to enhance product performance and durability. Typical responsibilities include conducting research, analyzing material properties, assisting in manufacturing processes, and ensuring quality control. This role provides hands-on experience and technical training, helping you develop expertise in material selection and failure analysis. It often serves as a foundation for career growth in engineering, research, or product development.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Graduate Materials Engineer?

As a Graduate Materials Engineer, you can expect to spend your days conducting laboratory tests, analyzing material performance, preparing reports, and assisting with research and development projects. You will often collaborate with senior engineers, production teams, and quality control staff to troubleshoot issues or optimize materials for specific applications. Your role may also involve reviewing technical documentation, maintaining testing equipment, and participating in team meetings to discuss project progress. This hands-on, collaborative environment provides valuable experience and fosters growth in both technical and professional skills.

What can I do with a materials engineering degree?

A graduate materials engineer can work in industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and manufacturing, focusing on developing, testing, and improving materials like metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. They often analyze material properties, use tools like microscopy and spectroscopy, and may pursue certifications or advanced training to specialize in areas like corrosion, failure analysis, or quality control.
More about Graduate Materials Engineer jobs
What states have the most Graduate Materials Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Graduate Materials Engineer jobs include:
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Graduate Materials Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Materials Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,639 per year, or $44.5 per hour.
Materials Science Engineering Technical Specialist

Materials Science Engineering Technical Specialist

Cummins

Troy, MI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Cummins rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 248 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

108th of 520 rated manufacturers

Job description

We are looking for a talentedMaterials Science Engineering Technical Specialist to join ourEngineering team of Cummins Drivetrain and Braking Systems (CDBS) in Troy, MI. 

In this role, you will make an impact in the following ways: 

  • Drive DataBased Decisions: Apply advanced statistical methods-descriptive analytics, probability modeling, regression, DOE, and hypothesis testing-to deliver rigorous, evidencedriven recommendations that improve product and process outcomes. 
  • Strengthen Failure Prevention: Conduct thorough component failure analyses to identify true root causes, evaluate design and manufacturing intent, and recommend corrective actions that protect customers and prevent recurrence. 
  • Optimize Material & Process Selection: Evaluate component requirements and select the most appropriate materials and manufacturing routes, ensuring bestfit solutions that meet performance, cost, and reliability targets. 
  • Enhance Material Robustness: Perform mechanical, chemical, microstructural, and physical property characterization to confirm compliance and correlate lab results with field performance, improving component durability and reliability. 
  • Improve Technical Knowledge Transfer: Produce clear, accurate technical documentation that captures learnings, supports decisionmaking, and enables efficient knowledge sharing across engineering, operations, and crossfunctional teams. 
  • Elevate CrossFunctional Collaboration: Build strong internal and external networks to accelerate problemsolving, align stakeholders, and ensure seamless communication across engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams. 
  • Accelerate Problem Resolution: Apply structured problemsolving methodologies to identify assignable and systemic root causes, implement robust corrective actions, and mentor others in effective analytical approaches. 
  • Advance Organizational Effectiveness: Demonstrate strong decision quality, resourcefulness, and the ability to manage complexity-consistently driving results while valuing diverse perspectives and adapting to challenging circumstances. 
Cummins is an equal opportunity employer. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity, or other status protected by law.
  • Casting experience is preferred.
  • Position involves working with suppliers for PPAP andprocessimprovements.
  • Use of sectioning and sample preparation equipment.
  • Report writing is necessary.

To be successful in this role you will need the following:

  • Deep Technical Expertise in Materials & Casting:A solid understanding of casting processes, material behavior, andmaterialprocessinginteractions to accurately diagnose issues,validatedesign intent, and make sound material and process selections.
  • Strong Analytical & Laboratory Skills:Proficiencywith sectioning, sample preparation, and material characterization equipment-along with the ability to interpret mechanical, chemical, microstructural, and physical property data-to supportrootcauseanalysis and robustdecisionmaking.
  • Supplier Collaboration & PPAP/Process Improvement Capability:The ability to work effectively with suppliers on PPAP requirements, process validation, and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring components meet specifications and quality standards.
  • Clear Technical Communication & Documentation:Strongreportwritingskills to document investigations, communicate findings, justify decisions, and supportcrossfunctionalalignment with Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering.

Education, Licenses, Certifications:
College, university, or equivalentBachelor's degree in Engineeringorappropriate STEMfield is required.
Post-graduate (Master's) degree relevant to this discipline area may berequiredfor select roles.
This position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.
Experience:
Prior Senior or Lead Engineer equivalent work experience in a relevant discipline area isrequiredwith a demonstratedtrack recordof technical problem solving and quality decision making. Knowledge of MS Office tools is preferred.

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About Cummins

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Cummins Inc., headquartered in Columbus, IN, US, is a global power leader that designs, manufactures, and distributes numerous power products and systems. With its genesis from as early as 1919, the company readily serves diverse industries such as transportation, industrial, generator drive, or marine applications, among others. At the heart of Cummins' operations, its key product lineup encompasses diesel & natural gas engines, generator sets, engine components, and filtration, emission solutions, and electrical power generation systems. Cummins deeply embodies core values of integrity, respect for diversity, teamwork, performance excellence, and social responsibility - all of which dynamically fuel their mission 'Making people's lives better by powering a more prosperous world'.

Industry

Transportation equipment manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Columbus, IN, US

Year founded

1919

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