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Material Science Engineer Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Varsity Tutors

Data Science Tutor

Madison, WI · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... programming, hypothesis testing, and communication of data-driven insights. Ability to explain ... Ability to identify concepts students commonly struggle with, explain material using multiple ...

AbbVie

Senior Scientist I, Mechanical Engineering

Madison, WI · On-site

$105K - $139K/yr

We are seeking a creative and driven Mechanical Engineer to join our growing team. In this role ... Interact with suppliers to specify and select components, ensuring all materials and parts meet ...

Tekni-Plex

Join Our Talent Community

Madison, WI · On-site

$18.25 - $24.25/hr

You may bring a technical background, such as materials science, engineering, manufacturing, quality, R&D, operations, or IT, where problem-solving, precision, and innovation are central to what you ...

Tekni-Plex

Join Our Talent Community

Madison, WI · On-site

$18 - $24/hr

You may bring a technical background, such as materials science, engineering, manufacturing, quality, R&D, operations, or IT, where problem-solving, precision, and innovation are central to what you ...

Varsity Tutors

College Computer Science Tutor

Madison, WI · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... engineering. * Effective Teaching Methods: Ability to identify concepts students commonly struggle with, explain material using multiple approaches, and adapt instruction to meet individual learning ...

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All JobsMaterial Science Engineer JobsMaterial Science Engineer Jobs in Madison, WI

Material Science Engineer information

See Madison, WI salary details

$38.3K

$101.5K

$159.2K

How much do material science engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for material science engineer in Madison, WI is $101,522.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,600.00 and $117,400.00 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 Madison, WI?

For Material Science Engineer jobs in Madison, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Material Science Engineer jobs in Madison, WI look for?

The top searched job categories for Material Science Engineer jobs in Madison, WI are:

What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Material Science Engineer jobs?

Cities near Madison, WI with the most Material Science Engineer job openings:

Material Science Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Material Science Engineer job openings in Madison, WI as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,522 per year, or $48.8 per hour.

Optical Product Development Engineer - Spectroscopy Instruments

Madison, WI • On-site

Thermo Fisher Scientific
Biotechnology Research and Development • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Thermo Fisher Scientificexternal

Full-time

Medical, Vision, Life

Re-posted 23 days ago

Thermo Fisher Scientific rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 430 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

171st of 547 rated manufacturers

Job description

Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Laboratory Setting, Office
Job Description
LOCATION: This is a fully onsite position based at our Madison, WI site. Unfortunately, relocation assistance is NOT provided.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.
Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screen.
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you'll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while advancing solutions to some of the world's toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
The Analytical Instruments Group (AIG) at Thermo Fisher Scientific provides a broad portfolio of instruments, software, and services that support a wide range of laboratory, production, and field applications. Our solutions are used by customers across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, government, environmental, and industrial markets to advance research, improve productivity, and drive innovation. At the Madison, Wisconsin site, our teams design and manufacture advanced spectroscopy instrumentation used by scientists around the world for research, materials science, energy, and industrial applications.
We are seeking a hands-on Optical Product Development Engineer to help design, build, test, and improve optical systems for FTIR, NIR, and Raman spectroscopy instruments.
This role is ideal for an engineer with a strong foundation in optics who enjoys working in the lab, building prototypes, troubleshooting real hardware, and collaborating across disciplines to turn optical concepts into manufacturable products. The successful candidate should bring a solid technical foundation, hands-on engineering mindset, and curiosity to continue developing advanced optical design skills while contributing directly to product development.
This is a product-focused role, not a purely theoretical modeling role. The engineer will work across optical design, prototyping, alignment, testing, system integration, and transfer to manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities
  • Develop optical subsystems for spectroscopy instruments, including illumination, collection, imaging, sensing, laser, fiber-coupled, or interferometric optical systems
  • Translate product and performance requirements into practical optical designs, prototypes, and testable hardware
  • Build, align, and evaluate optical prototypes in the lab
  • Use optical modeling and simulation tools such as Zemax, Code V, LightTools, or similar tools to support design decisions
  • Perform optical testing, data analysis, and performance characterization
  • Troubleshoot optical, mechanical, electrical, and system-level issues during development and production
  • Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, software, firmware, systems, manufacturing, and service teams
  • Support optical tolerance analysis, error budgeting, alignment strategies, and performance optimization
  • Develop and execute test plans to verify optical and instrument-level performance
  • Iterate designs based on experimental data, manufacturability, reliability, cost, and performance tradeoffs
  • Support design transfer to manufacturing, including alignment procedures, test methods, yield improvement, and root-cause analysis
  • Work with vendors and suppliers on optical components, coatings, assemblies, and subsystems
  • Contribute to design reviews, technical documentation, and product development milestones
  • Mentor junior engineers or technicians as appropriate

Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree plus 5 years of experience, or Master's degree plus 3 years experience in Optical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
  • Experience building, aligning, testing, or troubleshooting optical systems in a laboratory or product development environment
  • Ability to analyze experimental data and use results to improve hardware performance
  • Familiarity with optical design or simulation tools such as Zemax, Code V, LightTools, FRED, or similar tools
  • Comfortable working with laboratory equipment such as optical benches, alignment tools, power meters, spectrometers, interferometers, cameras, detectors, oscilloscopes, or data acquisition systems
  • Practical problem-solving mindset with the ability to debug complex hardware and system-level issues
  • Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams across optical, mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality disciplines
  • Programming or scripting experience in Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar tools for data analysis, automation, or modeling
  • Strong communication skills and ability to document designs, test results, trade studies, and technical decisions

Preferred Qualifications
  • Strong foundation in optical principles, including geometrical optics, diffraction, polarization, imaging, radiometry, and basic wave optics
  • Experience developing optical systems for commercial instruments, analytical instruments, medical devices, life science tools, aerospace systems, defense systems, or other complex hardware products
  • Experience with spectroscopy systems such as FTIR, NIR, Raman, UV-Vis, fluorescence, or related optical measurement technologies
  • Understanding of opto-mechanical design, alignment sensitivity, thermal effects, vibration, stray light, and optical contamination
  • Familiarity with optical tolerancing, metrology, fabrication processes, coatings, and supplier capabilities
  • Experience supporting manufacturing transfer, production troubleshooting, yield improvement, or service investigations
  • Interest in using AI, machine learning, or generative AI tools to improve data analysis, automation, modeling, or engineering productivity

Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate has a solid optics foundation and enjoys turning ideas into working hardware. They are comfortable moving between analysis, simulation, hands-on lab work, prototype builds, data analysis, and cross-functional problem solving. They are curious, practical, and eager to grow into a stronger optical designer while helping develop real products that can be manufactured, tested, and supported in the field.

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