1

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

Staff Reliability Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$108K - $137K/yr

OR PhD in Engineering, Material Science, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Reliability Engineering (e.g., reliability analysis, stress testing) experience or related work experience ...

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Material Science, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Reliability Engineering (e.g., reliability analysis, stress testing) experience or related work ...

New

Bachelor of Science engineering degree (Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Chemical, or Material Science) from an accredited college or university. * Experience: 3+ years of ...

Senior Plasma and Laser Physics Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K - $152K/yr

Achieving these goals requires extensive collaboration among plasma physics, material science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, flow dynamics, and more. If you ...

Materials Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$45 - $53/hr

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or related discipline. * Experience working with metallic materials, including nickel alloys, stainless steels, titanium, or aluminum.

next page

Showing results 1-20

Material Science Engineer information

See Carlsbad, CA salary details

$39.4K

$104.5K

$163.9K

How much do material science engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for material science engineer in Carlsbad, CA is $104,501.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,000.00 and $120,900.00 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 are popular job titles related to Material Science Engineer jobs in Carlsbad, CA?

For Material Science Engineer jobs in Carlsbad, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Material Science Engineer job openings in Carlsbad, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 73% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,501 per year, or $50.2 per hour.

Staff Reliability Engineer

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA • On-site

$108K - $137K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Qualcomm rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 246 rated software companies


Job description

Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Reliability Development Engineering
General Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated Reliability Engineer to lead reliability strategy, qualification execution, risk assessment, and reliability improvement initiatives across advanced semiconductor and hardware products. This role partners with cross-functional teams spanning technology development, design, product engineering, manufacturing, test, quality, and suppliers to ensure robust product reliability throughout the development lifecycle.
The successful candidate will drive reliability qualifications, develop risk-based validation strategies, perform failure analysis, apply statistical reliability modeling, and influence product and technology decisions through data-driven reliability engineering practices. Experience with Design-for-Reliability (DfR), reliability physics, and intrinsic technology reliability is highly desirable.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Material Science, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Reliability Engineering (e.g., reliability analysis, stress testing) experience or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Engineering, Material Science, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Reliability Engineering (e.g., reliability analysis, stress testing) experience or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Engineering, Material Science, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Reliability Engineering (e.g., reliability analysis, stress testing) experience or related work experience.
• 1+ year in a technical leadership role with or without direct reports. (applies only to positions with direct reports)
Preferred Qualifications
  • PhD with 1+ years, Master's degree with 4+ years, or Bachelor's degree with 6+ years of relevant experience in Reliability Engineering, Product Engineering, Quality Engineering, Test Engineering, or a related field.
  • Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Reliability Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
  • Strong experience in product reliability qualification, reliability execution, and validation methodologies.
  • Expertise reliability risk assessment techniques such as DFMEA, PFMEA, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), or similar approaches.
  • Strong understanding of reliability physics, failure mechanisms, degradation models, acceleration factors, and lifetime prediction methodologies.
  • Experience with statistical reliability analysis, Weibull analysis, accelerated life testing, survival analysis, reliability modeling, and data-driven decision making.
  • Experience with industry standards such as JEDEC, IEC, Telcordia, MIL-STD, or equivalent.
  • Familiarity with reliability testing including HTOL, HAST, THB, temperature cycling, thermal shock, vibration, mechanical shock, ESD, latch-up, and package qualification.
  • Experience with semiconductor, packaging, PCB, module, or electronic system technologies.
  • Knowledge of intrinsic technology reliability, semiconductor device reliability characterization, and technology-level failure mechanisms is a strong plus.
  • Experience using analytical and modeling tools such as JMP, ReliaSoft, Python, MATLAB, Minitab, or equivalent.

Skills and Competencies
  • Understanding of reliability engineering principles, qualification methodologies, and reliability execution.
  • Expertise in reliability risk assessment, statistical modeling, and reliability prediction.
  • Knowledge of intrinsic technology reliability, reliability physics, and product failure mechanisms.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and technical leadership skills.
  • Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management capabilities.
  • Ability to influence technical decisions and drive cross-functional alignment in a fast-paced development environment.
  • Proven track record of leading complex reliability programs and mentoring engineers.

This position offers the opportunity to shape reliability strategy, influence next-generation technologies, and drive reliability excellence from technology development through product deployment.
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$128,000.00 - $192,000.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer - and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.

What Qualcomm employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Qualcomm logo

About Qualcomm

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Qualcomm is enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected. You interact with products and technologies made possible by Qualcomm every day, including 5G-enabled smartphones that double as pro-level cameras and gaming devices, smarter vehicles and cities, and the technology behind the smart, connected factories that manufactured your latest purchase. Our powerful connectivity solutions keep you connected—even in remote areas. Qualcomm 5G and AI innovations are the power behind the connected intelligent edge. You’ll find our technologies behind and inside the innovations that deliver significant value across multiple industries and to billions of people every day.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1985