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

Substrate

Research Scientist, AI

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $275K/yr

Develop AI-augmented tools for materials science, device physics, or accelerator physics ... Train and mentor scientists and engineers on integrating AI/ML into their research workflows

Oura

Staff Materials Engineer, PVD

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Identify and mitigate material risks across the product lifecycle, from prototype to production and field usage. What We're Looking For: * Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering ...

Orbital Industries

Thermal Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Every Orbital product is invented with our AI platform - uniting AI-automated hardware engineering with AI-designed material science to achieve breakthrough real-world performance. We have an ...

Lam Research Corporation

Process Engineer 5

Fremont, CA · On-site

Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or Physics or related field with 8+ years of experience; or a PhD with 5+ years' experience; or equivalent experience. Preferred ...

Lam Research Corporation

Process Engineer 3

Fremont, CA · On-site

$86K - $192K/yr

Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or Physics or related field with 3+ years of experience; or a PhD with no previous professional experience; or equivalent ...

Lam Research Corporation

Process Engineer 3

Fremont, CA · On-site

$86K - $192K/yr

Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or Physics or related field with 3+ years of experience; or a PhD with no previous professional experience; or equivalent ...

Lam Research Corporation

Process Engineer 3

Fremont, CA · On-site

$86K - $192K/yr

Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or Physics or related field with 3+ years of experience; or a PhD with no previous professional experience; or equivalent ...

Vector Atomic

Staff Engineer - Mechanical

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$142K - $177K/yr

Our team of engineers, scientists, software developers, and operations professionals works together ... Familiarity with material science relative to thermal and mechanical properties. * Understanding of ...

Lam Research Corporation

Process Engineer 4

Fremont, CA · On-site

$104K - $231K/yr

Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or Physics or related field with 6+ years of experience; or a PhD with 3+ years' experience; or equivalent experience. Preferred ...

Lam Research Corporation

Process Engineer 3

Fremont, CA · On-site

$86K - $192K/yr

Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or Physics or related field with 3+ years of experience; or a PhD with no previous professional experience; or equivalent ...

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Showing results 21-40

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 6, 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 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 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.

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. The field offers growth opportunities, especially for those skilled in nanotechnology, polymers, and composites, with employment prospects driven by innovation and technological advancement.

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 popular job titles related to Material Science Engineer jobs in Berkeley, CA? For Material Science Engineer jobs in Berkeley, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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% Internship, 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,347 per year, or $59.3 per hour.

Research Scientist, AI

Substrate

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$150K - $275K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Research Scientist, AI
Substrate is addressing one of the most important technological problems facing the United States. At the intersection of advanced manufacturing and cutting-edge physics, we are developing technologies that will reshape the semiconductor industry and strengthen America's technological leadership. We are a team of world-class scientists, engineers, and technical experts building technology for the United States.
Summary
As a Research Scientist working with AI, you will accelerate and augment R&D workflows by applying machine learning to scientific simulations and modeling while simultaneously building internal AI capabilities across the organization. This role sits at the intersection of cutting-edge physics and artificial intelligence, and you'll work hands-on to develop AI-augmented tools that enable breakthrough research, and build the infrastructure and expertise that empowers our technical teams to leverage AI in their own work. Whether you are a physicist who has embraced machine learning or an AI expert with deep scientific domain knowledge, you will play a pivotal role in defining how we utilize AI to accelerate our own internal R&D.
Responsibilities
  • Integrate machine learning techniques to accelerate scientific simulations, modeling, and computational workflows
  • Develop AI-augmented tools for materials science, device physics, or accelerator physics applications
  • Build internal AI infrastructure and capabilities to enable research teams across the organization
  • Train and mentor scientists and engineers on integrating AI/ML into their research workflows
  • Implement surrogate models, physics-informed neural networks, or generative approaches for scientific problems
  • Develop data pipelines and frameworks for scientific machine learning across distributed teams
  • Collaborate with computational physicists and experimentalists to identify high-impact AI applications
  • Set AI best practices and establish standards for ML-augmented R&D

Required Qualifications
  • 5+ years professional or academic research experience in physical sciences, engineering, or related field
  • 2-3+ years hands-on experience applying machine learning to scientific or technical problems
  • Strong programming skills in Python and ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, or similar)
  • Deep understanding of scientific computing, numerical methods, and computational modeling
  • Proven ability to translate scientific problems into machine learning approaches
  • Experience building tools, infrastructure, or capabilities used by technical teams

Preferred Qualifications
  • PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or related field
  • Publications applying ML to scientific computing, simulation, or experimental data analysis
  • Experience with physics-informed machine learning or scientific foundation models
  • Background in accelerator physics, semiconductor devices, materials modeling, or related domains
  • Track record of enabling technical teams through tool development or mentorship

Salary Range
$150,000-$275,000 USD
Substrate is an equal opportunity employer. It provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, gender, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Substrate will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the hiring process, please let your recruiter know.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

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