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Material Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Blachford

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Engineer

Menomonee Falls, WI · On-site

$60K - $105K/yr

Materials Engineer * Process / Product Development Engineer * Mechanical or Design Engineer * Quality Engineer * Sales Engineer / Applications Engineer Locations: West Chicago, IL & Milwaukee, WI ...

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All JobsMaterial Engineer JobsMaterial Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin

Material Engineer information

See Wisconsin salary details

$38.4K

$101.7K

$159.5K

How much do material engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for material engineer in Wisconsin is $101,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,700.00 and $117,600.00 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 Wisconsin? The most popular types of Material Engineer jobs in Wisconsin are:
What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Material Engineer jobs? Cities in Wisconsin with the most Material Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Material Engineer jobs in WI? For Material Engineer jobs in WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Material Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Material Engineer job openings in Wisconsin as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,680 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

Principal Materials Engineer - Polymers (Advanced Engineering)

Milwaukee Tool

Milwaukee, WI

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Job Description:

Principal Materials Engineer - Polymers (Advanced Engineering)

Bringdeep technical authority and first-principles rigorto define, mature, and scalepolymer materials and processing approachesacross Milwaukee Tool'sHand Tools business unit(Hand Tools, Storage, PPE).

As a Principal Materials Engineer, you serve as thesubject matter expert in polymer systems, driving materialselection, development, validation,processing, and manufacturabilitydecisions forhigh-impact applications. You define material performance intent, develop validation strategies, and translate results into confident material decisions fromearly exploration through commercialization.

Youoperatewithhigh autonomyacross Advanced Engineering (R&D) and platform development, independently progressing multiple material efforts in parallel. You also lead direct technical engagement with material suppliers and development partners to solvecomplex material challenges.

This role emphasizesearly-stage material exploration and innovation, requiring the ability toidentifyemerging material opportunities and generate insights before formal validation pathways exist.

Key Responsibilities

  • Define material performance intent tied to end-use conditions, durability, and manufacturability requirements

  • Develop, qualify, and implement polymer systems (plastics, elastomers, coatings, adhesives, composites) from concept through production-ready specifications, ensuring alignment betweendesign intent, tooling strategy, processing conditions, manufacturability, and field performance

  • Define and execute platform-level material strategies, enabling consistent performance and manufacturability across product architectures

  • Translate experimental and field data intomaterial and process decisionsby linking processing-structure-property relationships to end-use performance and failure modes, and by driving upfront analysis prior to tooling and trials

  • Scout and evaluate emergingpolymer, elastomeric, and flexible material technologies- including startup platforms, university-derived materials, and supplier development pipelines - to expand the organization'smaterials and processing capability roadmap

  • Designnovel test methodologieswhere standard approachesfail tofully characterize material behavior; treat data exploration as a primary tool for surfacingmaterial and process insightsthat drive early-stage decisions

  • Apply materialsexpertiseacrossrigid and flexible polymer systems, including elastomeric components,overmoldedinterfaces, and protective padding or soft goods applications relevant to PPE and hand tool ergonomics

  • Lead direct technical engagement with global material suppliers and development partners to co-develop and mature advancedmaterial and process solutions

  • Lead root-cause investigations for complex material failures, applyingappropriate analyticaltechniques toidentifyfailure mechanisms and translate findings intodesign, material, or process changes;maintainfamiliarity with relevant test methods anddemonstratewillingness to workhands-on in the labas needed

  • Drive corrective actions that prevent recurrence through changes in materialselection, design, or processing conditions

  • Provide targeted support to high-impact production or field issues (~10%), focused on complex or ambiguous failures

  • Influence design, manufacturing, and sourcing decisions to ensure alignment between material selection, processing, and product performance

  • Applystrong working knowledgeof DFM and tooling to polymer materialselection-understanding how material, processing, and design impact tooling and vice versa, and using that understanding to influence manufacturability and development decisions

  • Develop sufficient fluency in injection molding simulation workflows (e.g., Moldflow, FEA, material models) to define meaningful inputs, interpret outputs, and drive targeted requests in partnership with dedicated simulation resources;direct simulation execution capability is preferred but notrequired

  • Document material intent, assumptions, tradeoffs, and risks in clear specifications and recommendations

  • Mentor engineers and elevate technical rigor in materials evaluation and decision-making

  • Operate across a wide range of polymer systems and applications, applying depth selectively where technical risk is highest

Typical Advanced Engineering Flow

  • Discovery:Identifyunmet performance needs; evaluate materials technologies and external capabilities

  • Definition:Translate application requirements into material performance intent,processing strategy, manufacturability considerations,and validation approach

  • Exploration:Develop and test material systems; iterate with suppliers and partners;explore process windows and tooling interactions; quantify tradeoffs and failure modes

  • Validation:Confirm performance, durability, and manufacturability; retire material and process risk

  • Commercialization:Deliver production-ready specifications, test methods, and supplier alignment; support launch as SME

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred

  • 10+ years of experience in polymer materials engineering across R&D, development, or manufacturing

  • Deepexpertisein plastics, elastomers, thermosets, adhesives, coatings, and composite systems

  • Proven ability to solve complex technical problems and lead root cause analysis

  • Experience working directly with material suppliers and development partners

  • Strong ability to translate data into decisions and communicate clearly across functions

  • Strong working knowledgeof polymer processing (e.g., injection molding,overmolding) and the interaction between materialselection, tooling, and manufacturing outcomes

  • Working knowledge ofinjection molding simulation conceptssufficient to engage simulation resources effectively, interpret simulation outputs, and recognize where simulation-informed decisions add value;experience directly running Moldflow or similar analyses is preferred

  • Familiarity with polymer characterization methods and willingness to behands-on in the labare expected; experience independently operating polymer analysis equipment to support development and failure investigations is preferred

Milwaukee Tool is an equal opportunity employer.

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