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Material Characterization Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Manager, Characterization

Fort Worth, TX · On-site

$16.25 - $19/hr

MP Materials (NYSE: MP) is rebuilding American industrial capability for a new era of autonomy ... We are seeking an experienced Manager, Characterization to oversee materials characterization ...

MP Materials (NYSE: MP) is rebuilding American industrial capability for a new era of autonomy ... We are seeking an experienced Manager, Characterization to oversee materials characterization ...

New

Manager, Characterization Full Time Fort Worth, TX, US 2 days ago Requisition ID: 2286 Company ... MP Materials (NYSE: MP) is rebuilding American industrial capability for a new era of autonomy ...

... risk management from IND through NDA and commercialization . This role plays a critical part in ... Design, interpret, and oversee material characterization using techniques such as XRPD, DSC, TGA ...

Translate characterization results into clear material and process recommendations that improve ... Experience designing and implementing a laboratory inventory management system (including ...

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Material Characterization Manager information

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$34K

$84.6K

$125.5K

How much do material characterization manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for material characterization manager in the United States is $84,642.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,000.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a material characterization manager?

A Material Characterization Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing the analysis and evaluation of materials to determine their properties, structures, and performance. They manage teams and laboratory operations that use various scientific techniques to assess materials used in manufacturing, research, and product development. Their work helps ensure that materials meet required standards, support innovation, and resolve quality or performance issues. Material Characterization Managers often collaborate with engineers, scientists, and production staff to optimize material selection and usage.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a material characterization manager?

To thrive as a Material Characterization Manager, you need a solid background in materials science or engineering, typically with an advanced degree and experience in laboratory management. Familiarity with analytical techniques such as SEM, TEM, XRD, and proficiency in relevant lab software and quality management systems are essential. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help manage teams and effectively interpret and present complex data. These skills ensure accurate material analysis, efficient project execution, and successful collaboration with cross-functional teams.

What are the common challenges faced by a material characterization manager when overseeing a multidisciplinary team?

A Material Characterization Manager often coordinates scientists, engineers, and technicians who each bring different expertise and perspectives to the table. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication of project goals and technical details across diverse specialties, especially when interpreting complex data. Additionally, balancing multiple projects with tight deadlines and managing access to specialized analytical equipment can be demanding. Effective leadership and strong organizational skills are crucial to maintaining workflow efficiency and fostering collaboration within the team.

What is the difference between Material Characterization Manager vs Material Scientist?

AspectMaterial Characterization ManagerMaterial Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, Engineering, or related field; certifications in materials testingBachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, or related field; often advanced certifications
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research facilities, manufacturing plantsResearch labs, industrial settings, academic institutions
Industry UsageManufacturing, quality control, R&D departmentsResearch & development, academia, industry innovation

The Material Characterization Manager oversees testing and analysis processes to ensure material quality and performance, focusing on managing teams and testing protocols. In contrast, a Material Scientist conducts research to develop new materials or improve existing ones, often engaging in experimental work and data analysis. Both roles require strong technical knowledge, but the manager emphasizes leadership and process management, while the scientist emphasizes research and innovation.

What are popular job titles related to Material Characterization Manager jobs?

For Material Characterization Manager jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Material Characterization Manager job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,642 per year, or $40.7 per hour.

Principal Scientist, Material Characterization

Upper Providence, PA

GlaxoSmithKline
Scientific Research and Development Services • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


GlaxoSmithKline rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Business Introduction


At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on discovering and delivering vaccines and medicines, combining our understanding of the immune system with cutting-edge technology to transform people's lives. GSK fosters a culture ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing, making sure that we focus our efforts on accelerating significant assets that meet patients' needs and have the highest probability of success. We're uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together.


Find out more:
Our approach to R&D

As a member of Pharmaceutical Science, you will apply your materials characterization expertise to develop a holistic understanding of the relationship between crystal structure, powder properties, drug product manufacture and stability. You will contribute to the development and deployment of state-of-the-art methodologies and technologies to improve understanding of our material and systems to enable the delivery of our medicines. This is highly technical and dynamic environment, requiring close collaboration across multi-disciplinary project teams. You will thrive in this environment if you are able to effectively prioritize and manage multiple tasks, communicate your recommendations clearly, seek input from SMEs and wider team members, and work effectively as a collaborative team player in diverse multi-disciplinary teams.

This is a fast-paced and dynamic role where you will combine the laboratory data with your strong scientific understanding of physical characterization to identifymaterial attributes critical to robust and sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing routes and processes. This position will play an important role in supporting development of drug substance process, long-acting injectable suspension and solution drug products.

Key responsibilities include:

This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. These responsibilities include some of the following:

  • Apply material characterization knowledge to support project objectives across drug substance and drug product development.

  • Identify and understand key physical material attributes that impact manufacturability, stability, and control strategy.

  • Design, execute, interpret, and communicate scientific work to meet the project timelines and objectives, e.g., selection of API version and form, design and scale up of unit operations such as crystallization and isolation, formulation identification, process transfer to commercial facilities, implementation of new technology or delivery of a suitable control strategy that includes the identification of key physical materials attributes.

  • Provide technical oversight of work (as necessary) performed at CROs.

  • Ensure that experimental work is conducted to high standards of quality and communicated effectively at internal R&D meetings.

  • Ensure appropriate scientific peer review and relevant technical oversight is in place throughout development. Identify and escalate physical drug substance and drug product risks at scientific reviews and through relevant technical and project oversight panels.

  • Work closely with internal teams, external partners, CROs, CMOs, and Global Supply Chain as appropriate to support development and technology transfer activities.

  • Author or contribute to regulatory submissions (including review and approval of data used therein) and approve regulatory submissions if required when delegated by the Director.

  • Ensure appropriate quality and compliance activities are satisfactorily performed when executing work internally or at a CMO.

  • Develop characterization strategy for projects and help identify, communicate, and escalate relevant scientific risks when needed.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

  • B.S. (+6 years of experience), MS (+4 years of experience, or PhD (+0 years of experience in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Pharmaceutics or related discipline.

  • 3+ of experience with multiple physical and solid-state characterization techniques (such as x-ray powder diffraction, particle size techniques, rheology, thermal characterization, microscopy, micro-computed tomography) and knowledge on how to apply these to different material types.

Preferred Qualifications:

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

  • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related discipline.

  • Experience with the physical characterization of suspension formulations.

  • Experience with particle sizing of materials 0.1um-5um or with broad distributions.

  • 3+ years of experience independently planning and executing experiments.

  • 3+ years of experience independently analyzing and interpreting analytical data and communicating results.

#LI-GSK


Skills

Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Instrumentation, Analytical Laboratory, Analytical Thinking, Automation Technology, Bioprocessing, Data Analysis Tools, Drug Development, Laboratory Reports, Matrix Leadership, Method Development, Technical Problem-Solving

Please visit GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases - to impact health at scale.

People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we're committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at GSK, please contact the appropriate Recruitment Staff by emailing us at -usrecruitment.adjustments@gsk.com

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

Important notice to Employment businesses/ Agencies

GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK's compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/


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About GlaxoSmithKline

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

GlaxoSmithKline is a globally recognized pharmaceutical and healthcare company based in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Originated from a merger between Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham in 2000, the company excels in the pharmaceutical industry and holds a leading position in making medicines, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. GSK's mission is to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better, and live longer. They adhere to core values of transparency, integrity, respect for people, and patient-focus, reflecting in their endeavors to conduct research and deliver innovative healthcare solutions to patients and consumers worldwide.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Philadelphia, PA, US