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Material Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Material Chemist

Lorton, VA · On-site

$69K - $158K/yr

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 ...

Material Chemist

Lorton, VA · On-site

$69K - $158K/yr

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 ...

Material Chemist

Lorton, VA · On-site

$69K - $158K/yr

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 ...

Material Chemist

Lorton, VA · On-site

$69K - $158K/yr

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 ...

Lead, Materials Engineering

Rockville, MD · On-site

$104K - $137K/yr

Consider effects of tribology and material property evolution on system and component design as a ... D. in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an ...

Lead, Materials Engineering

Rockville, MD

$104K - $137K/yr

Consider effects of tribology and material property evolution on system and component design as a ... D. in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an ...

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Material Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$43K

$114.1K

$179K

How much do material engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for material engineer in Washington is $114,095.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,600.00 and $131,900.00 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 Washington? The most popular types of Material Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Material Engineer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Material Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Material Engineer job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,095 per year, or $54.9 per hour.
Parts, Materials and Processes Engineer

Parts, Materials and Processes Engineer

Stellar Solutions

Chantilly, VA • On-site, Remote

$100K - $175K/yr

Other

Retirement

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Parts, Materials and Processes Engineer
Job Locations US-CA-Bay Area | US-CA-Los Angeles | US-CO-Denver | US-VA-Chantilly | US-AL-Huntsville
ID 2026-1908
Category Systems Engineer
Required Security Clearance None
Type Full-Time
Overview

Stellar Solutions, a nationally recognized "Great Place To Work", has exciting opportunities providing Engineering solutions for innovative new-entrant space companies, as well as established space systems manufacturers, commercial space system operators and service providers, and other industry stakeholders including investors.

At Stellar Solutions, we offer talented, energetic, and immediately productive resources to satisfy our customers' critical needs in systems engineering and integration, mission operations, program management and strategic planning. We are a leading service and expertise provider for high-tech commercial ventures, spanning communications, earth observation and remote sensing systems and data products, to the infrastructures that support earth orbiting and beyond earth orbit businesses.

Role/Responsibilities/Qualifications

Stellar Solutions is seeking a Parts, Materials and Processes Engineer to support our Civil, Commercial, Defense and/or Intelligence Customers as part of a highly talented, highly motivated and high-performing team. As part of the technical team, you will support exciting new and existing programs which involve design, development, test, and deployment of complex space systems. As a subject matter expert on Parts, Materials and Processes, you will contribute to architectural and mission success of space systems that will be utilized by a variety of government and commercial stakeholders.

In this position, the ideal candidate will:

    Recommend Electrical/ Electronic/ Electromechanical (EEE) parts and materials required for Space environmental effects
  • Generate required programmatic analyses, such as radiation, power, mass, EMC, reliability/FMEA, and DFMAT analyses to optimize the product design
  • Recommend material selection and configuration/process improvements to address product reliability/quality/lifecycle survivability improvements
  • Coordinate and characterize material and process qualifications of piece parts, assemblies, processes, and materials to meet customer/program requirements
  • Generate and execute test plans, identifies and categorizes failures, determines root cause and documents results and recommendations
  • Prepare Engineering Reports, Qualification Reports and Product Design Review Documents and make effective presentations
  • Utilize knowledge of electronics and/or environmental test to support programs from design analysis and verification test plan definition through manufacturing implementation and final test and delivery to customer
  • Coordinates resolution of issues with suppliers and customers
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret or higher security clearance, thus US Citizenship is required

Required Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

  • Master's degree or higher in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Material Science
  • 5+ years of experience in EEE parts selection
  • 5+ years of experience leading or managing Corrective Actions or Root Cause Analysis
  • 5+ years of experience analyzing and presenting technical data (oral or written)
  • 5+ years of experience in DPA and reliability/failure/contamination analyses (part, unit, system) and test

Desired Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

  • 10 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
  • 10 or more years of experience in Mission Assurance

Locations: This position is designated as a fully remote role, allowing the selected candidate to work from a location within the United States.

Compensation:

The typical pay range for this position is USD $100,000 - $175,000 per year. Individual pay is determined by many factors including work location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. This position is also eligible for a discretionary annual performance bonus, retirement plan and other benefits (all included as part of package).

Deliverable(s)

Translate customer requirements into documentation for parts, materials and process plan