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Material Science Engineer Jobs in Muskegon, MI (NOW HIRING)

Lead Engineer - Ceramic Core Process

Whitehall, MI · On-site

$98K - $127K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Ceramic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline. * Minimum of 8 years of ...

Materials Science and Engineering, or Metallurgical Engineering * Experience working in a Casting environment * Previous internship or co-op experience in a manufacturing environment or lab ...

Bachelor or Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Materials Science; PhD preferred. * Strong analytical and process-oriented thinking with a systematic approach and high technical ...

Showing results 21-40

Material Science Engineer information

See Muskegon, MI salary details

$34.3K

$91K

$142.7K

How much do material science engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for material science engineer in Muskegon, MI is $91,006.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,300.00 and $105,200.00 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 Muskegon, MI look for?

The top searched job categories for Material Science Engineer jobs in Muskegon, MI are:

What cities near Muskegon, MI are hiring for Material Science Engineer jobs?

Cities near Muskegon, MI with the most Material Science Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Material Science Engineer job openings in Muskegon, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 74% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,006 per year, or $43.8 per hour.

Process Engineer - Plant 3

Howmet Aerospace

Whitehall, MI • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Howmet Aerospace rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 166 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

49th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

This position will be located in our Plants 1 & 3, Whitehall Casting Operation, and will support manufacturing through process control and improvement initiatives, assume responsibility for integrity for assigned products, establish and maintain external and internal customer contacts, document and prepare part specific work instruction, maintain knowledge of job cost, and develop/implement appropriate plans to improve profitability. 

Job Roles: 

  • Systems thinker--sees the business and its operation holistically; understands actions and reactions; considers multiple pathways of potential effect before decisions; thinks strategically about interventions with an eye toward scale
  • Optimizer--constantly challenging the organization to work smarter; supports others to ensure they have what they need to do their work successfully
  • Anticipation--looks ahead to minimize potential issues and maximize advantages; prepares others for what comes next
  • Operational accelerator--drives continuous improvement; understands ramifications of automation and other advances; advocates for safety, ergonomics and scalable solutions
  • Organization and structure--works within existing structures while striving to improve and standardize them; provides accurate information; galvanizes others toward common goals
  • Influence--leverages knowledge, relationship, data and perspective to persuade, educate and navigate; gains buy in and adoption of ideas and practices at scale; interacts with a variety of stakeholders
  • Data informed--focused on things that drive quantifiable business outcomes; evaluates based on quantitative feedback; knows and explains the “why” behind actions
  • Prioritized reaction--handles the unexpected without losing sight of important objectives; reacts where greatest leverage points exist
  • Relationship--connects individually and with teams across shifts and practices; builds rapport and commonality; creates a “win together” ethic; serves as liaison between shop floor and engineering; keeps the pulse of the floor; helps people feel heard

Job Responsibilities: 

This position is responsible for developing robust processes that consistently meet or exceed our customers’ requirements for the metallurgical quality and performance of aerospace components.  Also, continuous improvement of processes by improving methods and developing new methods of manufacturing, leading to increased yields and reduced labor content. 

  • External customer escapes - Investigates and analyzes root cause; develops and implements correction action plans.
  • Part Qualification and Re-qualification - Determines and supports manufacturing requirements necessary to meet customer requirements; performs metallurgical investigations; assembles process documentation per customer requirements.
  • Process Development and Improvement - Monitors/analyzes yield, labor, and materials data to develop process improvement ideas for new and established processes.
  • Manufacturing Support - Monitors manufacturing output to ensure process control; Responds to manufacturing needs: training, work instructions and interpretation; Creates and updates work instructions needed to perform manufacturing processes.
  • General Technical Support - Conducts meetings and provides technical data to meet customer needs. 
  • NPI Concurrent Engineering - Conducts meetings with customers to review design concepts.
  • Quotation Prep - Develops material, scrap and labor costs for cost modeling.
  • Tooling Development and Build - Attends NPI meeting and provides input based on customer specifications for BOM, routings and milestone plans.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.
  • Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States.  Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.  Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution in the following disciplines preferred: Materials Science and Engineering, or Metallurgical Engineering
  • Experience working in a Casting environment
  • Previous internship or co-op experience in a manufacturing environment or lab environment
  • Strong verbal, written, and analytical skills
  • Knowledge of MS Office and Excel
  • Experience with solidification modeling such as ProCast or SOLIDCast
  • Working knowledge of statistical analysis and tools such as Minitab, JMP
  • Knowledge of Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and ABS
  • Experience with Design of Experiment concepts

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About Howmet Aerospace

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. The Company's sales for 2021 approximated $5 billion. The Company's primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With nearly 1,150 granted and pending patents, the Company's differentiated technologies promote more fuel efficiency for aircraft and commercial transportation. Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Industry

Aviation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Pittsburgh, PA, US

Year founded

1888