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Material Science Engineer Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

United Airlines

Metallurgy Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$83.50 - $109/hr

This includes aircraft maintenance technicians, engineers, planners, ground equipment and ... Job overview and responsibilities Entry level in Metallurgy and/or material science, heat treating ...

System One

Material Sciences Specialist

Novato, CA · Remote

$57 - $62.07/hr

Material Sciences Specialist Location: Novato CA 94949 Type: Contract Compensation: $57-$62.07 Work ... Requirements * BS degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering ...

System One

Material Sciences Specialist

Novato, CA · Remote

$57 - $62.07/hr

Material Sciences Specialist Location: Novato CA 94949 Type: Contract Compensation: $57-$62.07 Work ... Requirements * BS degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering ...

System One

Material Sciences Specialist

Novato, CA · Remote

$57 - $62.07/hr

Material Sciences Specialist Location: Novato CA 94949 Type: Contract Compensation: $57-$62.07 Work ... Requirements * BS degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering ...

System One

Material Sciences Specialist

Novato, CA · Remote

$57 - $62.07/hr

Material Sciences Specialist Location: Novato CA 94949 Type: Contract Compensation: $57-$62.07 Work ... Requirements * BS degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering ...

System One

Material Sciences Specialist

Novato, CA · Remote

$57 - $62.07/hr

Material Sciences Specialist Location: Novato CA 94949 Type: Contract Compensation: $57-$62.07 Work ... Requirements * BS degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsMaterial Science Engineer JobsMaterial Science Engineer Jobs in Berkeley, CA

Material Science Engineer information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$46.5K

$123.3K

$193.5K

How much do material science engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for material science engineer in Berkeley, CA is $123,347.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $142,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a material science engineer?

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a material science engineer?

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 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 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.

Are material science engineers in demand?

Material science engineers are in demand due to their expertise in developing new materials for industries such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as innovation and technological advancements continue, requiring skills in research, testing, and materials characterization tools like microscopy and spectroscopy.

What do material science engineers do?

Material science engineers research and develop new materials or improve existing ones for various applications, such as aerospace, electronics, and healthcare. They analyze material properties, use tools like microscopy and spectroscopy, and often work in laboratories or manufacturing environments to ensure materials meet performance and safety standards.

What is the average salary for a material science engineer in the US?

The average salary for a material science engineer in the US is approximately $80,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on experience, education, and location. Professionals with advanced skills in materials characterization and proficiency with tools like CAD or simulation software may earn higher salaries.

What job categories do people searching Material Science Engineer jobs in Berkeley, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Material Science Engineer jobs in Berkeley, CA are:

What cities near Berkeley, CA are hiring for Material Science Engineer jobs?

Cities near Berkeley, CA with the most Material Science Engineer job openings:

Material Science Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Material Science Engineer job openings in Berkeley, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,347 per year, or $59.3 per hour.

Staff Engineer - SSRL Materials Science Division

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Scientific Research and Development Services • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about SLAC National Accelerator Laboratoryexternal

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Position Overview:
SSRL is seeking an outstanding Staff Engineer to join a dynamic scientific research environment in the hard x-ray group of the Materials Science Division. The primary responsibility of this position is to provide engineering support to the hard x-ray group, including assisting scientists with instrument development on the end stations and working with scientists and users to develop new sample environments, such as rapid heating/cooling, strain or high-pressure cells, chemical and electrochemical environments, or laser excitation setups.
Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a SLAC Directorate at Stanford University, is a national scientific user facility providing synchrotron radiation for research in biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, material science, medicine, and physics. SSRL operates and maintains the 3 GeV electron storage ring SPEAR3, the associated injector facility, and synchrotron radiation beam lines on SPEAR3.
Your specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Design and develop in-situ/operando experimental hardware and technical capabilities for advanced synchrotron experiments.
  • Identify, scope and execute projects that expand experimental capabilities, improve system reliability, and streamline beamline operations.
  • Design, prototype, commission, and maintain beamline hardware, and provide high-quality technical support for scientific operations.
  • Contribute engineering input to the beam time scheduling by aligning instrument readiness, maintenance needs, and experimental requirements.
  • Align x-ray optics, diagnose beam quality issues, and resolve system-level performance problems.
  • May serve as a beam line program manager (requires periodic on-call duties).
  • Other duties may also be assigned.

To be successful in this position you will bring:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, chemistry or related field and at least 2 years of experience in a scientific, engineering, or technical environment, including:
    • Hands-on experience with small/wide angle x-ray scattering, diffraction, reflectivity, or microscopy with synchrotron radiation instrumentation.
    • Hands-on experience with in-situ/operando instrument design.
    • Mechanical design and drawing creation using parametric CAD software such as SolidWorks or Solid Edge.
    • Working knowledge of mechanical fabrication techniques, precision mechanism design, and kinematic design principles related to mechanical systems design.
    • Strong hands-on skills in assembling complex mechanical systems and handling delicate instruments.
    • Scientific programming experience, such as Python.
    • Experience interfacing scientific instrumentation or industrial controls with Linux and Windows operating systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate concepts into practical designs, supported by strong analytical and problem-solving, and creative engineering judgment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse group of scientists, technical staff and user groups in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
  • Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently.
  • Ability to write clear technical documentation, engineering notes, and user manuals.
  • Ability to evaluate and troubleshoot sophisticated electro-mechanical and logic control systems.

In addition, preferred qualifications include the following areas:
  • Knowledge of beamline control and data acquisition software such as EPICS, SPEC, or ICS.
  • Experience tuning x-ray optics and opto-electro-mechanical systems.
  • Experience with beamline optics simulation using ray-tracing software.

Apply