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Material Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Materials Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$52 - $85/hr

Materials Engineer Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract Materials ... material and weld performance and ensure materials development and testing efforts meet ...

Materials Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$52 - $85/hr

Materials Engineer Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract Materials ... Develop material property correlations and advanced material performance models as input to ...

Materials Engineer

Everett, WA · On-site

$159K - $208K/yr

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience * Hands on experience with ...

... engineering, or a related technical discipline - 2 years of experience with materials selection ... material performance - Ability to interact with and convey concepts to all levels of the ...

Materials & Process Engineer

Kent, WA · On-site

$129K - $193K/yr

Design and execute material characterization programs: mechanical testing, environmental exposure ... Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics ...

Materials & Process Engineer

Kent, WA · On-site

$129K - $193K/yr

Design and execute material characterization programs: mechanical testing, environmental exposure ... Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics ...

Own material characterization,allowablesand help expand the current database of material properties ... Bachelor of Science in Material Science, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Chemical, Aerospace Engineering ...

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Showing results 1-20

Material Engineer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$43.2K

$114.6K

$179.8K

How much do material engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for material engineer in Seattle, WA is $114,642.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,000.00 and $132,600.00 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, requiring knowledge of material properties and engineering principles.

Do materials engineers make a lot of money?

Materials engineers typically earn a competitive salary, with median wages higher than the average for all occupations. Salaries vary based on experience, education, location, and industry, but they generally have strong earning potential and opportunities for advancement. Many also work in research, development, or manufacturing environments that value technical skills and certifications.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, or certain senior roles in software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. These positions typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and often involve leadership or executive responsibilities.

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 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 microscopes and testing equipment, typically working in laboratories or manufacturing environments. Certification and knowledge of industry standards are important for this role.
Infographic showing various Material Engineer job openings in Seattle, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,642 per year, or $55.1 per hour.
Materials Engineer

Materials Engineer

Protingent

Bellevue, WA • On-site

$52 - $85/hr

Contractor

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description


Position Title: Materials Engineer
Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract Materials Engineer opportunity.
Job Responsibilities:
  • Interface with various project teams to provide welding configuration, geometry and methods guidance for Company's reactor development programs
  • Use fundamental welding engineering principles to develop weld designs, specifications, and processes for reactor design and licensing
  • Inform materials test programs to validate models of material and weld performance and ensure materials development and testing efforts meet programmatic objectives of the reactor
  • Perform scientific analysis of test data (e.g., metallography, non-destructive inspection, mechanical properties, ductility) and generate technical reports to document new knowledge related to reactor design and qualification
  • Provide materials engineering support for the procurement of engineered components and systems including leading technical development of suppliers to increase technology readiness level of key components.

Job Qualifications:
  • Minimum of 3 years of related experience with a B.S. degree; or 2 years with an M.S. degree; or equivalent experience; a degree in Materials Science/Engineering, Welding Engineering, or a related technical discipline is desired.
  • Experience with weld engineering for new design
  • Experience in determining geometries, weld methods, and property impacts for welded pipes, pressure vessels, and equipment.
  • Working knowledge of ASME NQA-1 and ASME Section IX is highly desirable
  • An understanding of the impact of weld design and parameters on complex mechanical phenomena (e.g., creep, fatigue, creep fatigue, stress corrosion cracking, and fracture) in high temperature systems
  • A thorough understanding of metallurgy including welding and heat treatment of ferrous (e.g., austenitic and ferritic-martensitic steels) and nonferrous (e.g., nickel-base) alloys
  • Experience qualifying welds for service in highly regulated applications is preferred
  • Ability to work with minimum direction to solve challenging problems
  • The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork.
  • Actual position starting level and title will be determined based on assessment of qualifications.

Job Details:
  • Contract
  • Pay Rate Range: $52 - $85 (Pay rates are approved based on candidate location, education and experience)
  • Location: Bellevue, WA
  • Travel Required: 0-10%
  • Export control regulations require candidates to be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Legal Permanent Resident, or of a protected person status

Benefits Package: Protingent offers competitive salaries, insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan), education/certification reimbursement, pre-tax commuter benefits, Paid Time Off (PTO), and an administered 401k plan.
About Protingent: Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation - from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We're passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.#TerraPro
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