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Material Testing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

VOLT

Materials Testing Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$40 - $44.77/hr

Work with design teams to ensure material data supports analysis needs. * Take ownership in relationships with external labs and indirect purchasing to ensure testing is conducted per company ...

Vast

Materials Test Specialist I

Long Beach, CA · On-site

Set up and operate laboratory test equipment used to evaluate mechanical, thermal, physical, and environmental material properties * Support testing of metals, polymers, adhesives, coatings ...

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Material Testing information

What is material testing?

Material testing is the process of evaluating the physical and mechanical properties of materials, such as metals, plastics, or composites, to determine their suitability for specific applications. This testing can include assessing strength, durability, hardness, flexibility, and resistance to various stresses. Material testing ensures that materials meet quality standards, safety regulations, and performance requirements in industries like construction, manufacturing, and aerospace. It helps prevent product failures and supports the development of safer, more reliable products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a material testing technician?

To thrive as a Material Testing Technician, you need a solid understanding of material properties, laboratory testing procedures, and relevant industry standards, typically supported by a degree or certification in materials science or engineering. Familiarity with testing equipment such as universal testing machines, spectrometers, and data analysis software is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and strong communication skills help ensure accuracy and effective reporting of results. These competencies are vital for maintaining quality control and ensuring materials meet safety and performance requirements in various industries.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in material testing, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in material testing often face challenges such as ensuring sample integrity, meeting tight deadlines, and interpreting complex test results accurately. Maintaining precise environmental conditions and following standardized procedures are crucial to avoid compromised data. Collaboration with engineers and quality assurance teams is common, requiring strong communication skills to translate test findings into actionable insights. Staying updated with new testing methodologies and industry standards also helps address these challenges and ensures reliable results.

What is the difference between Material Testing vs Material Inspection?

AspectMaterial TestingMaterial Inspection
CertificationsASTM, ACI, NDT certificationsVisual inspection certifications, NDT certifications
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, testing facilities, construction sitesConstruction sites, manufacturing plants, quality control labs
Primary FocusAssessing material properties and performanceVerifying material quality and compliance
Industry UsageConstruction, manufacturing, aerospaceConstruction, manufacturing, infrastructure projects

Material Testing involves analyzing material properties through laboratory tests to determine strength, durability, and performance. Material Inspection focuses on visually and non-destructively verifying that materials meet specified standards and quality requirements. Both roles are essential in ensuring safety and compliance in construction and manufacturing industries.

How do you become a material testing professional?

To become a material testing professional, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by a degree or certification in materials science, engineering, or a related field. Gaining experience with testing methods, laboratory equipment, and safety protocols is essential, and some roles may require professional certifications such as NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) certifications or specific industry licenses.

Is construction material testing a good career?

Construction material testing is a stable career that involves evaluating the quality and safety of building materials using laboratory and field tests. It requires knowledge of materials, testing equipment, and safety protocols, often supported by certifications such as NICET or ASTM standards. The field offers steady employment opportunities in construction, engineering, and quality assurance sectors.

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Material Testing jobs?

Cities in California with the most Material Testing job openings:

Material Testing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Material Testing job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution.

Materials Testing Engineer

San Diego, CA • On-site

VOLT
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 10K+ employees
Learn more about VOLTexternal

$40 - $44.77/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Move Forward with Volt!
Volt is immediately hiring a Materials Testing Engineer in San Diego, CA.
As a Materials Testing Engineer, you will:
  • Perform and coordinate mechanical testing of materials, including: Thermophysical; Tensile and Stress-Strain Characterization; Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF); High Cycle Fatigue (HCF); Creep and Stress Rupture; Fatigue/Creep Crack Growth
  • Partner with test labs, materials engineers, and design engineers to define testing requirements. Work with design teams to ensure material data supports analysis needs.
  • Take ownership in relationships with external labs and indirect purchasing to ensure testing is conducted per company's requirements and suppliers are paid timely.
  • Own and maintain Materials & Processes Engineering (M&PE) Testing and Data Quality Guidance Notes, ensuring alignment with current turbomachinery OEM standards and
    industry best practices.
  • Develop and implement component-specific pedigree requirements based on end-use classification (e.g., rotating, static, combustion/hot-section) to
    ensure appropriate material selection, processing controls, and qualification rigor.
  • Generate comprehensive technical reports and engineering documentation, clearly summarizing test results, analyses, methodologies, and conclusions.
  • Develop and deliver technical presentations to communicate complex material behavior, test outcomes, and engineering insights. Develop and deliver executive-level presentations summarizing program progress, technical outcomes, and business impact of material testing investments to take ownership in funding approval for the following year.
  • Lead and advance next generation material characterization strategies, enabling deeper understanding of process/microstructure/property relationships for critical
    turbomachinery materials. Collaborate closely with alloy owners and materials subject matter experts to define targeted studies evaluating the impact of microstructure, heat
    treatment, and processing variations on mechanical properties and performance.

This is a full-time, temp to hire opportunity!
Schedule: Monday to Friday from 8am - 5pm, with the flexibility of starting earlier
The ideal candidate will have:
  • Good communication skills
  • Strong mechanical test experience
  • Strong working knowledge of the following alloy systems and how processing affects their resulting mechanical properties (in order of importance); solid solution and precipitation strengthen nickel alloys; austenitic, ferritic and martensitic stainless steels; and low/medium carbon and low
  • Ability to pass a 7-year criminal background check and drug screen

Pay Rate*: $40.00 to $44.77 per hour DOE
*Pay range offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors, including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc.
Qualified candidates should APPLY NOW for immediate consideration! Please hit APPLY to provide the required information, and we will be back in touch as soon as possible.
Benefits: Volt offers benefits (based on eligibility) that include the following: health, dental, vision, term life, short term disability, AD&D, 401(k), Sick time, and other types of paid leaves (as required by law), Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Volt is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits any kind of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Volt is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national origin, citizenship, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by the statutes, rules, and regulations in the locations where it operates. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, please email hr_dept@volt.com or call (866) -898-0005. Please indicate the specifics of the assistance needed.
Volt does not discriminate against applicants based on citizenship status, immigration status, or national origin, in accordance with 8 U.S.C. § 1324b. The company will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner that complies with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws.
By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Innova Solutions and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at volt-information-sciences-privacy-policy.pdf
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About Volt Workforce Solutions

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Volt Workforce Solutions is a recognized leader in the staffing industry, proudly serving the United States and headquartered in Parsippany, NJ. Starting with its humble beginnings in the late 1950s as a publishing company, Volt has grown exponentially to provide quality staffing solutions within a plethora of industries like Technology, Engineering, Accounting, Administrative, Call Centre, and much more. This evolution is concrete proof of the company's dedication to adapt and thrive, embodying its core values of Integrity, Respect, Excellence, Innovation, and Success. Volt’s mission is to make businesses successful by providing what they need most – talented people.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Parsippany, NJ, US

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