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Materials Engineer Intern Jobs in Arlington, VA (NOW HIRING)

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Materials Engineer Intern information

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$12

$22

$34

How much do materials engineer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for materials engineer intern in Arlington, VA is $22.22, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Materials Engineer Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Materials Engineer Intern, you need a solid understanding of materials science fundamentals, laboratory techniques, and coursework in engineering or related fields. Familiarity with analytical tools like scanning electron microscopes (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and software such as MATLAB or AutoCAD is commonly expected. Curiosity, attention to detail, and strong teamwork and communication skills help interns contribute effectively to projects and collaborate with mentors. These capabilities are crucial for accurate experimentation, data analysis, and successful integration into engineering teams.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as a Materials Engineer Intern?

As a Materials Engineer Intern, you'll typically assist with materials testing, data analysis, and research to support ongoing product development or manufacturing projects. You may be involved in preparing samples, conducting experiments in the lab, and documenting results for review by senior engineers. Interns often collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as design or quality assurance, to help solve real-world engineering challenges. This hands-on experience is invaluable for building technical skills and understanding how materials engineering fits into larger company objectives.

What does a Materials Engineer Intern do?

A Materials Engineer Intern supports professional engineers in researching, developing, and testing materials used to create a wide range of products. Typical tasks include assisting with laboratory experiments, analyzing material properties, preparing reports, and helping to improve material performance or processes. Interns often work under supervision, gaining hands-on experience with materials such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. This internship helps students or recent graduates apply theoretical knowledge to real-world engineering problems and prepares them for a full-time role in materials engineering.

What is the difference between Materials Engineer Intern vs Materials Engineer?

AspectMaterials Engineer InternMaterials Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing a bachelor's degree in materials science or engineering; internship experience preferredBachelor's degree in materials science, engineering, or related field; professional licensure optional
Work EnvironmentSupportive, learning-focused environment within manufacturing, research labs, or R&D departmentsFull-time professional role in designing, testing, and analyzing materials in industrial settings
Employer & Industry UsageInternships offered by manufacturing firms, aerospace, automotive, and research institutionsFull-time positions in similar industries, often with more responsibility and project leadership

Materials Engineer Interns are students gaining practical experience, while Materials Engineers are full-time professionals responsible for developing and testing materials. Interns focus on learning and supporting projects, whereas Engineers lead design and analysis tasks in their field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Materials Engineer jobs in Arlington, VA? The most popular types of Materials Engineer jobs in Arlington, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to Materials Engineer Intern jobs in Arlington, VA? For Materials Engineer Intern jobs in Arlington, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Materials Engineer Intern jobs in Arlington, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Materials Engineer Intern jobs in Arlington, VA are:
Materials Engineer (6 Month Register)

Materials Engineer (6 Month Register)

Defense Logistics Agency

Fort Belvoir, VA

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Defense Logistics Agency rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

108th of 638 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Telework Eligible

Yes

Major Duties

  • Develops comprehensive documents required to advance acquisition of strategic and critical materials mitigation products.
  • Develops services, including Statements of Work (SOW), Performance Work Statements (PWS), Statements of Objectives (SOO), and Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCE).
  • Provides technical support to acquisition staff during solicitation, proposal, evaluation, negotiation, and post-award proceedings.
  • Develops guidelines evaluating the parameters of products and services required to support acquisition, operations, and sales activities.
  • Anticipates requirements and provides supporting technical information (specifications, standards, Materiel Safety Data Sheets) for long-range and ad hoc commodity testing projects.
  • Assists with evaluation of the technical merits of customer quality complaints, providing recommendations for solutions.
  • Serves as Program Manager on material projects and processes for acquisition, disposal, and upgrade.
  • Collaborates with other Directorates, Government agencies, and industries.

Qualification Summary

To qualify for a Materials Engineer, your resume and supporting documentation must support: A. Basic Requirement: A bachelor's degree or higher in professional engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR A combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional Registration or Licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the Basic Requirements above. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described in the Basic Requirements above. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field (e.g., engineering technology physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology) may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience (e.g., in interdisciplinary positions). B. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position and is directly in or related to this position. To qualify at the GS-13 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements, minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement. Creditable specialized experience includes: Performing complete and thorough analysis of engineering factors (Material, Mechanical, or other Physical properties) impacting the performance and design of manufactured items. Professional-level knowledge and understanding of manufacturing practices and processes to access Material, Mechanical, or other Physical functions to review design criteria. Demonstrated strong proficiency and knowledge of quality assurance practices and policies. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.


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