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Materials Engineer Phd Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mariana Minerals

Materials Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

MS degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Materials Engineering, or Chemical Engineering (PhD preferred). * Hands-on experience in materials synthesis (e.g., solid-state, hydrothermal, precipitation ...

Neuralink

Materials Engineer

South San Francisco, CA

MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field. * 2+ years of hands-on experience with explicit dynamics FEA (LS-DYNA, Abaqus/Explicit, or similar) - not static/modal only ...

Schaeffler

Materials Engineer

Wooster, OH · On-site

Possess a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, preferably in Mechanical, Chemical, or Material Science disciplines; candidates with a Master's degree or PhD will be given preference due to ...

Schaeffler Group USA

Materials Engineer

Wooster, OH · On-site

Possess a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, preferably in Mechanical, Chemical, or Material Science disciplines; candidates with a Master's degree or PhD will be given preference due to ...

Schaeffler

Materials Engineer

Wooster, OH · On-site

Possess a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, preferably in Mechanical, Chemical, or Material Science disciplines; candidates with a Master's degree or PhD will be given preference due to ...

SpaceX

Materials Engineer (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX · On-site

Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field. * Hands-on experience with metals, polymers, crystals, ceramics, coatings, or other process consumables in a ...

QualStaff Resources

Materials Engineer

New Albany, IN

$85K - $120K/yr

Materials Engineer * The Materials Scientist will be responsible for developing innovative ... PhD in Chemistry, Metallurgy or Materials Science with 3-5 years of experience. The company is an ...

SpaceX

Materials Engineer (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX · On-site

Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field. * Hands-on experience with metals, polymers, crystals, ceramics, coatings, or other process consumables in a ...

Neuralink

Materials Engineer

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

$113K - $209K/yr

MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field. * 2+ years of hands-on experience with explicit dynamics FEA (LS-DYNA, AbaqExplicit, or similar) - not static/modal only ...

Neuralink

Materials Engineer

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

$113K - $209K/yr

MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field. * 2+ years of hands-on experience with explicit dynamics FEA (LS-DYNA, Abaqus/Explicit, or similar) - not static/modal only ...

SpaceX

Materials Engineer (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX · On-site

Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field. * Hands-on experience with metals, polymers, crystals, ceramics, coatings, or other process consumables in a ...

SpaceX

Sr. Materials Engineer (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX · On-site

Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field. * Proven track record owning materials from concept or sourcing through qualification and high-volume production.

SpaceX

Sr. Materials Engineer (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX · On-site

Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field. * Proven track record owning materials from concept or sourcing through qualification and high-volume production.

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Materials Engineer Phd information

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$38K

$100.7K

$158K

How much do materials engineer phd jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for materials engineer phd in the United States is $100,738.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a materials engineer PhD?

Materials Engineers with a PhD are experts who study, develop, and improve materials used in a wide variety of applications, such as electronics, aerospace, and biomedical devices. Their advanced education allows them to conduct high-level research, design new materials, and solve complex engineering problems. They often work in research and development, academia, or specialized industries, contributing to innovations in materials science. Their work involves understanding the properties and behaviors of metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites at a fundamental level.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a materials engineer PhD?

To thrive as a Materials Engineer PhD, you need advanced expertise in materials science, analytical techniques, and a doctoral degree in materials engineering or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, materials characterization tools (such as SEM, TEM, XRD), and scientific software for modeling and data analysis is typically required. Strong critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and excellent written and verbal communication help you stand out in this role. These skills and qualifications are essential for driving innovative research, publishing impactful findings, and contributing to advancements in materials technology.

What opportunities are available for career advancement for a materials engineer PhD in industry settings?

Materials Engineers with a PhD often start in specialized research or development roles, but there are significant opportunities for advancement. With experience, you may move into senior scientist, project leader, or managerial positions, overseeing teams and strategic projects. Many organizations also offer pathways into technical consulting or innovation leadership, leveraging your advanced expertise to drive new product development. Career progression is often supported by ongoing professional development and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, providing a dynamic and rewarding environment.

What is the difference between Materials Engineer Phd vs Materials Scientist?

CriteriaMaterials Engineer PhdMaterials Scientist
Required CredentialsPhD in Materials Science or Engineering, advanced research experienceBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, some roles may require a PhD
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D departmentsResearch labs, academia, industry R&D
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing companies, aerospace, automotive, R&D firmsResearch institutions, industry, academia

Materials Engineer Phd and Materials Scientist roles often overlap in research and development. The PhD holder typically engages in advanced research, design, and problem-solving in manufacturing and product development, while Materials Scientists may focus more on fundamental research and material properties. Both roles require strong technical expertise, but the PhD often signifies a higher level of specialization and leadership in complex projects.

Are materials engineers in high demand?

Materials engineers with a PhD are in high demand in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics due to their advanced expertise in developing new materials and improving existing ones. They often find opportunities in research and development roles, working with tools like microscopy and spectroscopy, and may require specialized certifications or security clearances depending on the sector.

Is a PhD in Materials Engineer worth it?

A PhD in Materials Engineering can lead to advanced research, teaching positions, and specialized roles in industries such as aerospace, electronics, and nanotechnology. It typically requires several years of study and research but can enhance expertise, job prospects, and earning potential in highly technical fields.

What can I do with a PhD in materials engineer?

A PhD in materials engineering prepares individuals for advanced research, development, and leadership roles in industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and energy. Graduates often work in R&D laboratories, academia, or specialized manufacturing environments, utilizing skills in materials characterization, testing, and computer-aided design. Certification and knowledge of industry standards can enhance career prospects in this field.
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Materials Engineer Phd jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Engineer Phd 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 $100,738 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

Materials Engineer

Mariana Minerals

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

About Mariana Minerals
Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company on a mission to supply the critical minerals powering modern energy, AI, and defense technologies. We're reimagining the minerals supply chain by combining deep industry expertise with advanced software, automation, and data-driven decision-making.
Role Overview
Mariana Minerals is seeking a highly motivated Materials Engineer to join our R&D and product development team. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing processes for novel material synthesis - from lab-scale proof-of-concept to pilot and commercial scale implementation. This position will play a critical role in translating laboratory discoveries into scalable, economically viable production processes.
What You'll Do
  • Conduct lab-scale and pilot scale wet chemical synthetic experiments to validate proof-of-concept ideas and develop new material formulations.
  • Design and execute experiments to establish reaction parameters, yield optimization, and reproducibility.
  • Evaluate and select equipment and process configurations for pilot-scale and commercial-scale operations.
  • Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs), process and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and mass/energy balances.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including R&D scientists, operations, and external vendors to ensure smooth scale-up.
  • Support process safety reviews, risk assessments, and environmental compliance planning.
  • Collect and analyze process data to identify areas for optimization, cost reduction, and performance improvement.
  • Prepare technical documentation, reports, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams including lab technicians, pilot plant engineers, process engineers, project execution teams, and more to scale designs from lab through to commercial scale
  • Work closely with the software and machine learning teams to automate capital project execution workflows and develop reactor and plant optimization algorithms
What You'll Bring
  • MS degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Materials Engineering, or Chemical Engineering (PhD preferred).
  • Hands-on experience in materials synthesis (e.g., solid-state, hydrothermal, precipitation, or other chemical synthesis techniques).
  • Proficiency with materials characterization tools such as XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, TGA/DSC, and spectroscopic methods.
  • Experience with process design, equipment specification, and scale-up of laboratory processes to pilot or production scale.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills in a multidisciplinary environment.
  • Familiarity with process simulation tools (e.g., OLI systems or equivalent) is a plus.
Our culture is built on three principles:
Extreme Ownership - We take full responsibility for outcomes, relentlessly driving toward solutions.
Engineer Out Requirements, then Automate - We simplify, optimize, and then automate for scale.
Share Your Legos - We collaborate openly, share knowledge, and empower each other to build bigger, better solutions.
Join us as we build the future of responsible mineral sourcing and supply.

Apply