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Material Science Engineer Jobs in Mount Prospect, IL

Senior Graphite Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site +1

$105K - $144K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related field. * 5+ years of engineering experience; internship, research, and laboratory ...

Graphite Specialist

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

... engineering drawings. * Participate in supplier evaluations and material procurement related to graphite components. * Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including material science, quality ...

Collect building material, air, and noise samples and interpret the data. * Perform asbestos and ... Science/Engineering position, the anticipated annual base pay is $74,250-$103,128 (USD) . Actual ...

Collect building material, air, and noise samples and interpret the data. * Perform asbestos and ... Science/Engineering position, the anticipated annual base pay is $74,250-$103,128 (USD) . Actual ...

Showing results 21-40

Material Science Engineer information

See Mount Prospect, IL salary details

$37.8K

$100.1K

$157K

How much do material science engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for material science engineer in Mount Prospect, IL is $100,082.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,500.00 and $115,700.00 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 cities near Mount Prospect, IL are hiring for Material Science Engineer jobs?

Cities near Mount Prospect, IL with the most Material Science Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Material Science Engineer job openings in Mount Prospect, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 73% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,082 per year, or $48.1 per hour.

Postdoctoral Appointee - Building Agentic AI Platform for X-ray Science

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, IL • On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the X-ray Science Division. The successful candidate will develop an AI-enabled platform for X-ray absorption spectroscopy, working with a multidisciplinary team to advance agentic AI tools for simulation, interpretation, data analysis, and scientific discovery.
Responsibilities:
• Develop an AI-enabled platform for X-ray absorption spectroscopy by integrating LLMs, scientific machine learning, physics-aware workflows, and strong computational chemistry/electronic-structure expertise.
• Work with a multidisciplinary team to advance agentic AI tools for simulation, interpretation, data analysis, and scientific discovery.
Qualifications:
Required:
• A recent PhD (within 5 years) in computational chemistry, chemistry, materials science, physics, computational science, computer science, engineering, or a related field.
• Strong computational chemistry background in atomistic simulations, electronic-structure theory, DFT, structure-property relationships, and interpretation of simulation results.
• Hands-on experience with DFT or electronic-structure codes such as VASP, Quantum ESPRESSO, CP2K, ABINIT, GPAW, Gaussian, ORCA, Q-Chem, or related packages.
• Strong materials science or chemistry domain knowledge, such as bonding, defects, catalysis, batteries, solid-state chemistry, molecular systems, or related materials classes.
• Strong Python skills and familiarity with LLM APIs, agent frameworks, PyTorch, and the Python scientific stack (e.g., numpy, pandas, scikit-learn). Passion for front-end development and web-based applications, back-end services and API design (e.g., FastAPI, Flask), and deploying applications in local or cloud environments.
• Experience with complex scientific datasets and reproducible analysis or simulation workflows.
• Effective written and oral communications skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Commitment to Argonne's Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
Preferred:
• Experience with X-ray absorption spectroscopy theory, modelling, and interpretation, including XANES/EXAFS.
• Hands-on experience with XAS simulation packages such as FEFF, OCEAN, FDMNES, XSpectra, or exciting.
• Experience comparing simulated and experimental XAS/XAFS spectra.
• Experience with high-throughput spectroscopy workflows, HPC, synchrotron datasets, or physics-informed AI.
Company:
Argonne National Laboratory conducts researches in basic science, energy resources, and environmental management. Founded in 1946, the company is headquartered in Lemont, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.