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Material Science Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Type One Energy

Materials Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

... material selection and lifetime evaluations. In this role you will be working with multiple ... Work closely with a multidisciplinary team of Scientists, Engineers, and Technicians to foster a ...

Parsons

Chemical Process Engineer

Kingsport, TN · On-site

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, nuclear engineering, material science, material science engineering, mechanical engineering, or another related field and at least 10+ years of related work ...

Teknor Apex

Process Engineer

Brownsville, TN · On-site

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES: * BS or MS in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Polymer ... Good understanding of the formulation, material science and equipment involved. * Must be able to ...

Orion Talent

Lead Process Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

$130K - $155K/yr

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, nuclear engineering, material science engineering, mechanical engineering, or related discipline from an accredited university or college. * Typically ...

Amazon

Hardware Dev Engr III - AMZ27481.1

Nashville, TN · On-site

$135K - $183K/yr

Employer will accept a Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Material Science, or a related field and five years of experience in the job offered or in a ...

Teknor Apex Company

Process Engineer

Brownsville, TN · On-site

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES: * BS or MS in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Polymer ... Good understanding of the formulation, material science and equipment involved. * Must be able to ...

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All JobsMaterial Science Engineer JobsMaterial Science Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

Material Science Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$34.5K

$91.4K

$143.4K

How much do material science engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for material science engineer in Tennessee is $91,431.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,600.00 and $105,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Material Science Engineer, you need a solid background in materials engineering, chemistry, and physics, usually supported by a degree in materials science or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory analysis tools, materials characterization instruments (like SEM, XRD), and simulation software (such as MATLAB or ANSYS) is commonly required. Problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective collaboration are crucial soft skills for innovating and working on multidisciplinary projects. These competencies ensure the development of advanced materials and solutions that meet industry standards and drive technological progress.

What is the difference between Material Science Engineer vs Materials Engineer?

AspectMaterial Science EngineerMaterials Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, Engineering, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D departmentsManufacturing plants, R&D labs, quality control
Industry UsageResearch, development, testing of new materialsMaterial selection, processing, and quality assurance

Both roles focus on materials, but Material Science Engineers primarily engage in research and development of new materials, while Materials Engineers often work on applying and processing materials in manufacturing. The roles overlap in credentials and work environments, but their core responsibilities differ slightly.

What are the most common challenges Material Science Engineers face when working on cross-functional project teams?

Material Science Engineers often collaborate with professionals from mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing disciplines, which can present challenges in aligning technical requirements and timelines. Communication gaps may arise due to differences in technical language or priorities, making it essential to clearly convey material properties and limitations. Successfully navigating these challenges typically involves proactive collaboration, flexibility, and a willingness to learn about related fields to ensure project goals are met and innovative solutions are developed.

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 engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High-paying engineering positions typically require advanced degrees, certifications, and expertise in high-demand areas or management responsibilities.

What is the highest salary for a material engineer?

The highest salaries for materials science engineers can exceed $130,000 annually, especially for those with extensive experience, advanced degrees, or working in specialized industries such as aerospace or semiconductor manufacturing. Senior engineers with leadership roles or specialized skills in materials characterization and testing tend to earn the top salaries.

What are Material Science Engineers?

Material Science Engineers are professionals who study, develop, and test materials used to create a wide range of products, from electronics to medical devices to construction materials. They apply principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering to understand how materials behave and how they can be improved or adapted for specific uses. Their work often involves researching new materials, analyzing their properties, and collaborating with other engineers or scientists to solve complex problems. Material Science Engineers play a crucial role in advancing technology and making products safer, stronger, and more efficient.

What do material science engineers do?

Material science engineers research and develop new materials and improve existing ones for various applications, such as electronics, aerospace, and healthcare. They analyze material properties, use tools like microscopes and testing equipment, and often work in laboratories or manufacturing environments to ensure materials meet performance and safety standards.
What are popular job titles related to Material Science Engineer jobs in Tennessee? For Material Science Engineer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Material Science Engineer jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Material Science Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Material Science Engineer jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Material Science Engineer job openings:
Material Science Engineer jobs near you
Principal Engineer - Packaging Development

Principal Engineer - Packaging Development

Mars

Franklin, TN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Mars Inc. rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 39 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

111th of 395 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Job Description:

Principal Engineer - Packaging Development

The Principal Engineer - Packaging Developmentis a strategic technical leader responsible for advancing future-ready packaging platforms and ensuring robust packaging material governance across the enterprise. This role leads the evaluation of emerging packaging materials and technologies, establishes technical readiness frameworks, leads digital packaging platforms and drives packaging innovation from concept through commercialization.

This role requires a unique blend of deep material science expertise, rigorous risk management, and commercial acumen. This role will translate emerging consumer demands and digital supply chain constraints into a robust, multi-year packaging roadmap that safeguards our products, delights our customers, and drives sustainable growth.

What are we looking for?

  • Minimum of a Bachelor's inPackaging R&D, Material Science, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Food Science (or relevant field) paired with deep expertise inpolymer properties, material science, and early-stage innovation pipeline processes.

  • Minimum of 8 years' experience in similar role (Pet industry preferred).

  • In-depth technical knowledge of emerging packaging technologies across all formats and technology platforms, rapid prototyping, and digital packaging capabilities.

  • Technical rigor in every activity

  • Strong track record of driving results, collaborating and influencing without authority a variety of stakeholders

What would your key responsibilities be?

  • Lead strategic packaging innovation framing aligned with enterprise growth platforms and emerging macro trends (e-commerce, digital supply chain, traceability).

  • Build enterprise-level packaging roadmaps and establish validation frameworks for novel packaging formats. Identify potential technical failure modes early in the innovation funnel and design mitigation protocols prior to scale-up.

  • Define, govern, and implement strategy for Packaging Quality Management global standard compliance around Packaging Risk Assessments (PRAs) across all packaging materials, impacting all category technologies, ensuring packaging materials meet food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements across all category technologies.

  • Lead digital Packaging strategy implementation aligned with Specification Systems and digital efficiency tools. Drive integration of packaging data, specifications, risk assessments, and technical requirements into enterprise digital platforms. Advance digital capabilities that improve packaging development efficiency, traceability, compliance management, and decision-making.

  • Primary packaging interface with Science & Technology (S&T) teams, translating breakthrough material science into scalable commercial applications, align regional requirements for Technical Readiness Levels (TRLs) for packaging innovation

  • Scout external technology developments, suppliers, and academic partnerships to build early-stage technical pipelines.

What can you expect from Mars?

  • Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.

  • Join a purpose driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

  • A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

  • An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

#LI-BM1

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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