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Material Testing Laboratory Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

This role ensures the availability of accurate, sterile materials to support testing operations while maintaining laboratory safety and compliance standards. Essential Responsibilities * Prepare and ...

Materials Lab Technician

Moline, IL · On-site

$17.25 - $22.75/hr

... material testing equipment. Physical Demands: * Ability to lift and maneuver heavy objects (up to 50 lbs) in a laboratory environment. * Comfort working with various tools and equipment for post ...

This role ensures the availability of accurate, sterile materials to support testing operations while maintaining laboratory safety and compliance standards. Essential Responsibilities * Prepare and ...

This role ensures the availability of accurate, sterile materials to support testing operations while maintaining laboratory safety and compliance standards. Essential Responsibilities * Prepare and ...

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Material Testing Laboratory information

See Illinois salary details

$41

$44

$46

How much do material testing laboratory jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for material testing laboratory in Illinois is $44.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.08 and $45.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a material testing laboratory?

A Material Testing Laboratory job involves analyzing and evaluating the physical and chemical properties of materials such as metals, plastics, concrete, and composites. Technicians and engineers perform tests to ensure materials meet quality and safety standards for industries like construction, aerospace, and manufacturing. Responsibilities may include conducting mechanical tests, operating specialized equipment, and documenting results. These professionals play a critical role in quality control, product development, and compliance with industry regulations.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of someone working in a material testing laboratory?

In a Material Testing Laboratory, your daily tasks usually include preparing and testing material samples, recording and analyzing data, troubleshooting equipment issues, and maintaining laboratory records according to strict protocols. You may collaborate closely with engineers, quality assurance teams, and sometimes clients to interpret test results and ensure materials meet required specifications. Depending on the industry, your workload might also involve researching new testing methods or helping to validate process improvements. This role requires meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to following safety standards, making it a dynamic environment for individuals who enjoy hands-on technical work. Working in a team-oriented lab setting also offers frequent opportunities to learn from specialized colleagues and advance your expertise over time.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the material testing laboratory position?

To thrive in a Material Testing Laboratory, you need a background in materials science or engineering, experience with laboratory testing methods, and attention to detail. Familiarity with equipment such as universal testing machines, spectrometers, and industry standards like ASTM or ISO certifications is often required. Strong analytical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to follow precise protocols set candidates apart in this field. These skills are crucial for ensuring accurate test results, maintaining laboratory safety, and supporting research and quality assurance efforts.

What are the most commonly searched types of Material Testing Laboratory jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Material Testing Laboratory jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Material Testing Laboratory jobs in Illinois?

For Material Testing Laboratory jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Material Testing Laboratory job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,057 per year, or $44.3 per hour.

Materials Testing Technician, Raw Materials

Normal, IL • On-site


Rivian
Automobile Dealers • 10K+ employees

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 160 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 45 rated automakers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


$34.17 - $42.17/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

About Rivian
Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.
As a company, we constantly challenge what's possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.
Role Summary
In this role you'll join a diverse group of subject matter experts in the Failure Analysis and Materials Engineering team and bring your own expertise in the domain of materials testing. You will make an impact across every Rivian product line by joining our state-of-the-art Materials Testing Laboratory and by being a champion for data, commonality, engineering standards, and sound scientific principles. You will use your experience to assist FAME lab engineers and scientists in their investigations by operating laboratory equipment and generating, collating, and reporting data.
Responsibilities
  • Lead and assist materials characterization projects across multiple domains
  • Perform a wide variety of materials testing and validation on materials coming from across Rivian shops
  • Operation of a variety of laboratory equipment including, but not limited to (prior hands-on experience highly desired, but training will be provided as needed):
    • Instron Universal Testing Systems
    • Instron Fatigue Testing Systems
    • MTS Testing Systems
    • High Speed Tensile Frames
    • Limiting Dome Height (LDH) Testers
    • Digital Image Correlation (DIC)
  • Operation of a variety of machine shop equipment including, but not limited to (prior hands-on experience highly desired, but training will be provided as needed):
    • Waterjet
    • Mill
    • Lathe
    • Various hand tools
  • Preventative maintenance of laboratory equipment on a scheduled basis to ensure maximum uptime
  • Responsible for day-to-day organization of the lab, including ordering consumables, maintenance of chemical inventory, sample organization and tracking, etc
  • Help maintain Rivian materials testing specifications and Rivian material property database
  • Produce clear and concise reports to summarize data collected and be able to clearly present this to the FAME lab engineers and scientists

Qualifications
  • 4+ years hands-on experience in a materials characterization laboratory environment
  • Experience with a variety of material testing equipment and methodologies
  • Experience with data manipulation and processing in excel or google sheets
  • Experience reading, understanding, and implementing testing and quality standards
  • Familiarity with common industry material testing specifications (ASTM, ISO, AWS, etc.)
  • Familiarity with primary automotive structures such as Body, Interior and Chassis assemblies
  • Familiarity with steel and aluminum metallurgy
  • Desire to promote a culture of health and safety in the laboratory

Pay Disclosure
The salary range for this role is $34.17 - $42.17 per hour for Illinois based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs.
The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian's 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.
You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). There is no fixed deadline for this application; applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until the role is filled or the opening is no longer needed.
Equal Opportunity
Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
Candidate Data Privacy and Technology
Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes ("Candidate Personal Data"). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian's service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process: To ensure transparency, we want candidates to know that Rivian uses iCIMS Talent Cloud Artificial Intelligence (TCAI) and AI-enabled tools to assist with screening, reviewing, organizing and highlighting profiles and applications that match the key requirements for each role.
AI does not make hiring decisions: Qualified candidate applications are reviewed by a member of our team, and all decisions throughout the process are made by humans. We use AI to support efficiency and consistency, not to replace human judgment. We are committed to a fair, thoughtful, and equitable experience for every candidate.
Participation in AI profile matching is entirely voluntary. If you prefer that your profile not be used in this process, you can opt out at any time. Opting out means your profile will be excluded from automated matching and will not be surfaced for additional roles through this system. Your current application remains active and will not be affected in any way.
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.

Rivian logo

About Rivian

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Rivian is a pioneering automotive industry player headquartered in Irvine, California. Established in 2009, the company has made notable advancements in developing sustainable transportation solutions. It is widely recognized for its electric adventure vehicles: the R1T pickup and the R1S SUV. Rivian is dedicated to creating a positive shift in societal mobility and emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and adventure as part of its core values. Their mission is to keep the world adventurous forever - a testament to their commitment in transitioning the world to sustainable transportation. Rivian's achievements are numerous, with one of the most notable being securing a significant multi-billion dollar investment from Amazon for the production of electric delivery vans.

Industry

Automobile dealers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

2009


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Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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