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Material Testing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

QC Laboratory Technician (RM-Water)

Corona, CA · On-site

$20.50 - $25.75/hr

Execute incoming raw material testing, record test results, and prepare CoA documentation * Manage reference standards and reagents, including receipt, labeling, expiration control, and storage

Support management on materials testing and inspection services * Provide support in geotechnical operations * Review daily field reports and laboratory test results for different projects * Develop ...

Materials Developer

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$21.50 - $28/hr

Establishing and communicating material testing requirements based on product use, material construction, regulatory requirements, and company standards. * Ensuring Youth trims and labels are ...

Support management on materials testing and inspection services * Provide support in geotechnical operations * Review daily field reports and laboratory test results for different projects * Develop ...

Staff Engineer - Ventura

Ventura, CA · On-site

$75K - $88K/yr

Support management on materials testing and inspection services * Provide support in geotechnical operations * Review daily field reports and laboratory test results for different projects * Develop ...

Showing results 21-40

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 cities in California are hiring for Material Testing jobs?

Cities in California with the most Material Testing job openings:

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.

CMT Project Manager -- Sacramento, CA

Sacramento, CA • On-site

Construction Material Testing
Civil Engineering Construction • 201 - 500 employees

$125K - $155K/yr

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Project managers own the client relationship and the testing program: scoping proposals, scheduling crews against pour and earthwork calendars, reviewing reports before they ship, and keeping projects profitable and clients informed. You will run multiple concurrent projects with real authority and real accountability.

Responsibilities: Scope and price testing and inspection programs; Schedule field and laboratory resources against construction calendars; Review daily reports and resolve failing-test conversations quickly; Manage budgets, invoicing inputs, and client communication; Grow accounts through delivered reliability.

Qualifications: 5+ years CMT, special inspection, or construction QC experience; Scheduling and client-facing fluency under deadline pressure; Certifications (ICC, NICET, ACI) and technical credibility with field crews.

What a week in this job looks like:

You run the book of projects that keeps a testing operation alive: scoping and pricing new programs, scheduling technicians against pour and earthwork calendars that change nightly, reviewing reports before they ship, and having the failing-test conversation with a client in a way that protects both the record and the relationship. Monday you are pricing a two-year industrial program; Thursday you are untangling a double-booked crew before a 4 a.m. mat pour. It is a job for someone who has stood on the field side of this work and wants the authority, and the accountability, of running it. Underneath the calendar work sits the money work: budgets tracked project by project, invoicing inputs clean enough that accounting never calls, change scope caught while it is still billable, and the monthly honest look at which clients are worth growing and which projects taught an expensive lesson.

Background, growth, and where this leads:

We expect five or more years in CMT, special inspection, or construction quality control, with the certifications and scar tissue that come with it, ICC, NICET, or ACI credentials and the ability to hold technical credibility with a senior technician who has seen everything. Business skills we can sharpen; field credibility we cannot fake. Project managers who grow their book and their people step into operations leadership. In a company this size, the distance between running projects and running the practice is short and visible.

Pay, schedule, and travel:

Salary runs $125,000 to $155,000 depending on the book you can carry and the clients you bring credibility with. The rhythm follows construction: intense stretches around major placements and mobilizations, planning valleys between them, and a phone that matters more than a desk. The seat is Texas-based with regular presence on your projects; national industrial programs involve periodic travel to the sites you are responsible for, planned rather than perpetual.

Safety, quality, and the standards we work under:

You own outcomes inside a documented AASHTO R18 quality system and a licensed radiation safety program, which means your schedule decisions never get to compromise either. Report quality is a management responsibility here: what ships under your projects carries your review. You will also own the honest conversation, with clients about failing work, with crews about standards, and with leadership about what a schedule actually costs.

How hiring works, and our commitment:

Expect a direct conversation with leadership, references that get called, and a written offer consistent with this posting. The role requires a valid driver's license and the jobsite capability to be present on active projects, with pre-employment screening consistent with jobsite requirements. We are an equal opportunity employer and consider every applicant without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

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