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Material Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Process Support Engineer II

Manassas, VA · On-site

$86K - $119K/yr

Who We Are Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting ...

Responsible for supporting the Nuclear Materials Engineering (NME) group at the Lynchburg Technology Center. This group is one of 4 discrete laboratory operations within LTC, namely, Nuclear ...

Responsible for supporting the Nuclear Materials Engineering (NME) group at the Lynchburg Technology Center. This group is one of 4 discrete laboratory operations within LTC, namely, Nuclear ...

Process Support Engineer II

Manassas, VA · On-site

$86K - $119K/yr

Who We Are Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting ...

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Showing results 1-20

Material Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$37.7K

$99.9K

$156.6K

How much do material engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for material 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 jobs can materials engineers do?

Materials engineers design, develop, and test materials such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites for use in products and structures. They work in industries like aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, and electronics, often using tools like CAD software and conducting laboratory testing. Their roles may include research, quality control, and process improvement to enhance material performance and durability.

Is materials engineering a high paying job?

Materials engineering is generally considered a well-paying profession, with median salaries often above the national average for engineering roles. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and industry, with specialized skills and certifications potentially increasing earning potential.

What are some typical challenges Material Engineers face when working on product development teams?

Material Engineers often collaborate closely with design, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to select and test materials that meet specific product requirements. One common challenge is balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability while ensuring materials comply with industry standards and regulations. Additionally, Material Engineers must often troubleshoot unexpected failures or performance issues during prototyping and production, requiring creative problem-solving and effective communication with cross-functional teams. Staying current with new materials and technologies is also essential for success in this dynamic field.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and working in high-demand industries or leadership roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Material Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Material Engineer, a strong background in materials science, chemistry, and engineering principles—often supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in materials or related engineering fields—is essential. Familiarity with analytical tools such as scanning electron microscopes (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and computer-aided design (CAD) software, as well as certifications like Professional Engineer (PE), are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies are vital for developing innovative materials, ensuring product reliability, and facilitating successful collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

What are Material Engineers?

Material Engineers are professionals who study, develop, and test materials used to create a wide variety of products, from computer chips to aircraft components. They analyze the structure and properties of metals, ceramics, plastics, composites, and other materials to determine how they can be used or improved for specific applications. Their work is crucial in industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and electronics. Material Engineers also help ensure that materials meet safety and quality standards, and they often collaborate with other engineers to develop innovative solutions.

What is the difference between Material Engineer vs Metallurgist?

AspectMaterial EngineerMetallurgist
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Materials Science or EngineeringBachelor's or higher in Metallurgy or Materials Science
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing, product developmentMining, metal production, research labs
Industry UsageDesigning and testing new materials, improving product durabilityExtracting, processing, and analyzing metals

Material Engineers focus on developing and testing new materials for various applications, while Metallurgists specialize in extracting and processing metals. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often work in overlapping industries, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What is the work of a material engineer?

A material engineer researches, develops, and tests materials such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites to improve their performance and suitability for specific applications. They analyze material properties, select appropriate materials for projects, and often use tools like microscopy and testing equipment, typically working in laboratories or manufacturing environments. Certification and knowledge of engineering principles are important for this role.
What are the most commonly searched types of Material Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Material Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Material Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Material Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Material Engineer job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $99,874 per year, or $48 per hour.
Material Chemist

$158K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Booz Allen Hamilton rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 57 rated business consultants


Job description

Material Chemist
The Opportunity:
Become a part of our warfighter technology team delivering breakthrough technologies for our customers by providing innovative solutions that address critical mission challenges. As a long-term defense partner, Booz Allen delivers advanced technology that furthers essential priorities of the joint force, allies, and global partners. In this role, you will do that by working in a dynamic team that is responsible for developing, integrating, testing, and transitioning unique sof t material technologies that result in emerging fieldable solutions for our defense customers.
As a material chemist on our team, you'll support internal initiatives and government customers by executing product development efforts across internal and external teams. You'll perform custom formulations, develop sof t materials, generate test samples, coordinate with suppliers and manufacturers, and support material projects that address critical mission outcomes. You'll wear multiple hats such as a formulator, engineer, applied scientist, applicator, and technical expert, ensuring that material solutions are aligned to mission priorities and progress in technology readiness and manufacturability. Your contributions will help drive technological solutions that support critical mission challenges.
This role will require focus on technology maturation, transition and integration within the defense industry, and technical project management. Specifically, the focus is around material science and chemical technologies. You will work on unusually complex problems and provide highly innovative solutions by collaborating with engineers, scientists, and mission experts.
Join us. The world can't wait.
You Have:
  • 5+ years of experience developing chemicals, sof t material, or spe cia lized coatings to support industrial, petrochemical, or defense customers
  • 5+ years of experience with polymer science, formulary science, additives, or applied science
  • 1+ years of experience with testing, evaluation, and compliance with standard met hods such as ISO, ASTM, and MIL-SPEC
  • Experience executing across multiple projects that are composed of multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, business professionals, mission partners, vendors, and sub-contractors
  • Knowledge of technology, manufacturing, and integration readiness levels, or launch, maintenance, or sustainment of sof t material technologies
  • Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
  • Secret clearance
  • Bachelor's degree in a Material Science, Chemistry, Physics, or Engineering field

Nice If You Have:
  • 1+ years of experience working on a team in a fast-paced environment and in project management
  • Experience supporting the DoD with both contractual and technical requirements testing and evaluation, market research, technology scouting, material integration, procurement of development items, finan cia l tracking, and schedule development
  • Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Agile, Kanban, or other project management styles
  • Master's degree in Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field preferred; Doctorate degree in Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field a plus

Clearance:
Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information ; Secret clearance is required.
Compensation
At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen's benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.
Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $69,400.00 to $158,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen's total compensation package for employees. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.
Identity Statement
As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.
Candidate AI Usage Policy
AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.
Work Model
Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of collaboration, whether it occurs in person or virtually. To support engagement and effective communication, employees working virtually are generally expected to have their cameras on during meetings.
  • Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility.
  • Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen facility frequently, in alignment with leadership expectations and the needs of the role. You may also be required to work from or visit a customer facility.
  • Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed at a Booz Allen office or customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.

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About Booz Allen Hamilton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Booz Allen Hamilton is a leading provider of management and technology consulting services to the US government in defense, intelligence, and civil markets. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, the firm also serves major corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. Founded in 1914 by Edwin G. Booz, the company has a long-standing tradition of helping clients achieve success by delivering a wide range of consulting services that include strategic planning, human capital and learning, communication, systems development, and others. The company's mission is to empower people to change the world, and it has a reputation for maintaining the highest standards of integrity and-excellence.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

McLean, VA, US

Year founded

1914