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Material Science Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Purosil LLC

Polymer Materials Scientist

Corona, CA · On-site

The ideal candidate will have R&D level proficiency in polymer chemistry (ideally silicone and/or organic rubbers), material science, and applied materials science/mechanical engineering. You Should ...

EmergencyMD

Material Scientist

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

... Engineering, Material Science, Physics, Biology, or Chemistry is essential, along with 5 to 10 years of experience in aerospace design and manufacturing. Proven expertise as a technical lead is ...

PTI Technologies

Material Scientist

Oxnard, CA

... Engineering, Material Science, Physics, Biology, or Chemistry is essential, along with 5 to 10 years of experience in aerospace design and manufacturing. Proven expertise as a technical lead is ...

PTI Technologies

Material Scientist

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$111K - $186K/yr

... Engineering, Material Science, Physics, Biology, or Chemistry is essential, along with 5 to 10 years of experience in aerospace design and manufacturing. Proven expertise as a technical lead is ...

PTI Technologies

Material Scientist

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$111K - $186K/yr

... Engineering, Material Science, Physics, Biology, or Chemistry is essential, along with 5 to 10 years of experience in aerospace design and manufacturing. Proven expertise as a technical lead is ...

AYM

Material Scientist

Ventura, CA · On-site

$110 - $185/hr

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Material Science, Physics, Biology, or Chemistry * R&D and Chemist/Chemical background required * Explosives, pyrotechnics, and/or ordnance experience ideal

ETS-Lindgren GmbH

PTI Material Scientist

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

... Engineering, Material Science, Physics, Biology, or Chemistry is essential, along with 5 to 10 years of experience in aerospace design and manufacturing. Proven expertise as a technical lead is ...

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Material Science Engineering information

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How much do material science engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for material science engineering in California is $26.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $32.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is material science engineering a good career?

Material science engineering is a viable career that involves developing and testing materials used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics. It requires strong knowledge of chemistry, physics, and engineering principles, often involving laboratory work and research. Job prospects are generally stable with opportunities for advancement and specialization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a material science engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Material Science Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, chemistry, physics, and engineering principles, typically supported by at least a bachelor's degree in material science or a related field. Familiarity with analytical tools like scanning electron microscopes (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and materials modeling software is commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for success in this role. These skills ensure the development, testing, and improvement of materials that meet industry performance and safety standards.

What are some common challenges material science engineers face when working on interdisciplinary projects?

Material science engineers often collaborate with professionals from mechanical, chemical, and electrical engineering, which can present challenges in aligning project goals and communication styles. Navigating differences in technical language and priorities requires adaptability and strong teamwork skills. Additionally, integrating new materials into existing manufacturing processes may involve troubleshooting unforeseen issues, making flexibility and creative problem-solving essential. These challenges ultimately foster valuable cross-disciplinary experience and can lead to innovative solutions.

What is material science engineering?

Material science engineering is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on the discovery, design, and development of new materials and the improvement of existing ones. Engineers in this field study the structure, properties, and performance of materials such as metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. Their work is essential for advancing technology in industries like aerospace, electronics, automotive, and healthcare. Material science engineers play a critical role in creating materials with enhanced strength, durability, or other specialized properties to meet the needs of modern applications.

What kind of jobs do material science engineers do?

Material science engineers research, develop, and test materials such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites to improve their properties for various applications. They work in industries like aerospace, automotive, electronics, and healthcare, often using tools like microscopy and spectroscopy, and may require knowledge of manufacturing processes and safety standards.

What is the difference between Material Science Engineering vs Metallurgical Engineering?

AspectMaterial Science EngineeringMetallurgical Engineering
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science or EngineeringBachelor's or Master's in Metallurgical Engineering
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing, product developmentMining, metal production, refining facilities
Industry UsageElectronics, aerospace, automotive, consumer productsMining, metal extraction, alloy development
Common Search/ComparisonMaterial Science EngineeringMetallurgical Engineering

Material Science Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering share overlapping skills in metals and materials but differ in focus. Material Science emphasizes a broader range of materials, including polymers and ceramics, and their applications across various industries. Metallurgical Engineering concentrates specifically on metals, extraction, and refining processes. Both fields are vital in manufacturing and industry, but their core areas of expertise and work environments differ.

What are the most commonly searched types of Material Science Engineering jobs in California?

The most popular types of Material Science Engineering jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Material Science Engineering jobs in California?

For Material Science Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Material Science Engineering jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Material Science Engineering jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Material Science Engineering jobs?

Cities in California with the most Material Science Engineering job openings:

Material Science Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Material Science Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,840 per year, or $26.4 per hour.

Color Material Finish : Engineering Program Manager

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

$159K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Apple rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 677 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

Apple's Industrial Design team is looking for a CMF Engineering Program Manager to work with the internal color team on delivering world-class colors, materials, and finishes for all Apple products. The right candidate will have outstanding organizational skills and be able to see multiple projects through from design exploration to engineering development all the way to manufacturing, while working with multiple groups internal and external to Apple.
Description
Color EPMs are responsible for tracking, managing and driving multiple color palettes for multiple products, all with different lead times and release dates. They must juggle multiple project schedules in order to ensure the deadlines for color design decisions and engineering builds are met. A huge part of the job entails ownership of hundreds of physical samples and documents that are crucial for the product development cycle.
- Need to quickly pivot and switch gears during iterative design process and inevitable design changes
- Understand product timelines on the design and engineering side
- Hold running weekly designer reviews and meetings with engineers and delicately move things forward when needed
- Ingest and prioritize a great deal of information then translate it to multiple audiences (manufacturing, engineers, designers) oftentimes in different formats
- Technically fluent enough to distill information and ask the right questions / troubleshoot with engineers
- Maintain ownership of color targets, master standards, and build units
- Work across multiple groups: vendors, product teams, research teams, manufacturing
Minimum Qualifications
Superb organizations skills
Experience with managing large amounts of information
Technical background in the fields of material science, engineering, consumer products, textiles, fashion or automotive
Ability to take direction & work independently as well as collaboratively
Excellent verbal & written communication
High emotional intelligence: able to filter information, understand urgency, and know appropriate time to initiate conversation
Knowledge of Keynote, Excel, Numbers
Preferred Qualifications
Engineering Degree preferred
Interest in learning fundamentals of color science

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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