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Materials Characterization Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Siemens Energy, Inc.

Materials Engineer

Orlando, FL · On-site

How You'll Make an Impact (responsibilities) • Drive hands-on materials characterization and testing to support energy technology development. • Evaluate material properties, microstructures ...

M Force

Materials Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

This position will focus heavily on X-ray Diffraction (XRD), residual stress, retained austenite, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), and materials characterization while supporting laboratory testing ...

IBM

Quantum Materials R&D Engineer

Yorktown, NY · On-site

In this role, you will contribute to the development, characterization, and optimization of advanced materials and processes, including superconducting thin films, interconnects, and solder systems ...

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Materials Characterization information

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How much do materials characterization jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for materials characterization in the United States is $22.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $25.24 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a materials characterization?

A Materials Characterization job involves analyzing and evaluating the structure, composition, and properties of materials to understand their performance and potential applications. Professionals in this field use techniques such as microscopy, spectroscopy, and diffraction to study materials at the atomic, microscopic, and macroscopic levels. They work in industries like aerospace, electronics, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals to ensure material quality and optimize product performance. This role often requires expertise in materials science, engineering, and analytical techniques.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a materials characterization professional?

Professionals in Materials Characterization spend much of their day preparing specimens, operating advanced analytical instruments, and interpreting the resulting data. They may also collaborate with engineers, researchers, or product teams to provide insights that inform material selection, quality control, or product development. Documentation of experimental methods and results, maintaining laboratory equipment, and adhering to safety protocols are key aspects of the role. Additionally, there is often an opportunity to contribute to technical reports, presentations, and cross-functional meetings, making teamwork and clear communication especially important.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in materials characterization?

To excel in Materials Characterization, candidates typically need a background in materials science, chemistry, or physics, along with experience in analytical techniques such as electron microscopy and spectroscopy. Familiarity with instruments like SEM, TEM, XRD, and mastery of data analysis software are essential, and certifications in laboratory safety are often preferred. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are important soft skills in this position. These competencies are critical for accurate material analysis, troubleshooting experimental issues, and presenting findings to interdisciplinary teams.

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Materials Characterization jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Characterization job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,181 per year, or $22.2 per hour.

Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist, Characterization

Lila Sciences

Cambridge, MA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Your Impact at LILA

Lila Sciences is seeking a Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist, Characterization to join the Materials Science team within the Autonomous Science Platform. This role focuses on operating, maintaining, and improving characterization workflows that support active materials research campaigns.

The person in this role will run and troubleshoot core characterization methods, including SEM, optical microscopy, and XRD, while helping bring new instruments and protocols into reliable use. They will partner with scientists, engineers, and platform teams to deliver high-quality measurements, document methods, and keep characterization workflows moving efficiently.

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys careful experimental work, dependable lab operations, and practical method development. The ideal candidate brings strong attention to detail, comfort working with scientific equipment, and interest in building repeatable workflows that support fast, high-quality research.

What You'll Be Building

  • Operate SEM, optical microscopy, XRD, and related characterization workflows.
  • Prepare samples and measurement plans for routine characterization requests.
  • Maintain instrument readiness through checks, calibration, documentation, and troubleshooting.
  • Develop and refine protocols for new tools, methods, and sample types.
  • Deliver high-quality measurement data with clear records and traceable methods.
  • Identify workflow bottlenecks and improve throughput, reliability, and data quality.
  • Partner with Materials Science, platform, and operations teams on campaign needs.

What You'll Need to Succeed

  • B.S. or M.S. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, or a related field.
  • 2 to 5 years of hands-on laboratory experience in materials characterization or adjacent workflows.
  • Experience operating SEM, optical microscopy, XRD, or other common materials characterization tools.
  • Strong sample preparation, measurement planning, and experimental documentation skills.
  • Ability to troubleshoot instruments, workflows, and data-quality issues.
  • Comfort following SOPs while improving protocols as methods mature.
  • Strong communication skills for coordinating with scientists, engineers, and operations teams.

Bonus Points For

  • Familiarity with materials sample preparation for microscopy or diffraction workflows.
  • Experience onboarding new lab equipment, methods, or characterization protocols.
  • Comfort working in high-throughput or service-oriented lab environments.
  • Basic data analysis, visualization, or scripting experience for measurement workflows.

Apply