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Materials Engineer Phd Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

American Bureau of Shipping

Engineer II

Irvine, CA

$85K - $100K/yr

... material standards or coordination of activities among other disciplines. * Proposes new approaches ... Masters / PhD Graduates with no experience may be hired as Engineer II if degrees are specific to ...

American Bureau of Shipping

Engineer II

Irvine, CA · On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

... material standards or coordination of activities among other disciplines. * Proposes new approaches ... Masters / PhD Graduates with no experience may be hired as Engineer II if degrees are specific to ...

Broadcom

Hardware Engineer

Irvine, CA

$108K - $172K/yr

Degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Engineering Physics or related field with 8+ years of related experience after BS or 6+ years after MS or 3+ years after PhD with recent work ...

Broadcom, Inc.

Hardware Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$108K - $172K/yr

Degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Engineering Physics or related field with 8+ years of related experience after BS or 6+ years after MS or 3+ years after PhD with recent work ...

Panasonic

MTS III, Hardware Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$132K - $175K/yr

... Material Planning. KNOWLEDGE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS * Principles of engineering normally attained through a BSEE, MSEE or PhD degree. * Highly proficient in designing and developing requirements from ...

Rivian

Staff Thermal Design Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

Master's degree in Mechanical or Thermal Engineering (or equivalent) with 6-8+ years or PhD in ... Materials (TIMs). * Advanced Simulation Suite: Expert-level proficiency in industry-standard CFD ...

Marvell

Staff Mechanical Design Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

Select CTEmatched materials for sockets, pedestals, and structural components to minimize package ... and/or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related fields with 2-3 years of ...

Fortive

Senior Electrical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$114K - $149K/yr

Develop multilevel Bills of Materials (BOMs). * Participate in technical assessments and design ... PhD (optional) Years of Related Experience * Minimum: 5+ years with BSEE * Preferred: 3+ years with ...

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All JobsMaterials Engineer Phd JobsMaterials Engineer Phd Jobs in Riverside, CA

Materials Engineer Phd information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$39.6K

$105.1K

$164.8K

How much do materials engineer phd jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for materials engineer phd in Riverside, CA is $105,097.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $121,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

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 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.

What opportunities are available for career advancement for a Materials Engineer with a 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 are Materials Engineers with a 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 job categories do people searching Materials Engineer Phd jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Materials Engineer Phd jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Materials Engineer Phd jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Materials Engineer Phd job openings:
Materials Engineer Phd jobs near you
Sr Research Engineer - Polymer Materials

Sr Research Engineer - Polymer Materials

James Hardie

Fontana, CA • On-site

$120K - $135K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

James Hardie rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 29 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie, TimberTech, AZEK Exteriors, Versatex, fermacell, and StruXure.
With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally. Powered by a dynamic workforce, we're united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.
For more information, visit www.jameshardie.com.

Summary

The Senior Research Engineer / Scientist - Polymer Materials will support the development, optimization, and deployment of PVC material technologies for highperformance, durable building products. This role requires deep fundamentals in polymer science and polymer engineering, with emphasis on PVC chemistry, physics, processing, and structure-property-process relationships, bridging laboratory research and manufacturing implementation.

What You'll Do:

Key Responsibilities

Polymer Formulation & Materials Development

Develop, optimize, and evaluate PVC formulations, including base resins, stabilizer systems, lubricants, impact modifiers, process aids, fillers, and pigments. Apply fundamental polymer science and engineering principles (polymer thermodynamics, viscoelasticity, molecular weight effects, phase behavior, and degradation mechanisms) to guide formulation design. Demonstrate strong understanding of PVCspecific behavior, including fusion/gelation, thermal stability, shear sensitivity, rheology, and morphology development. Establish and interpret structure-property-processing relationships to balance durability, mechanical performance, surface quality, and manufacturability. Conduct laboratoryscale compounding, extrusion, and molding to support new product, cost, and sustainability initiatives. Drive AI assisted material characterizations and formulation development. 

Process & Manufacturing Support

Support PVC extrusion and compounding processes, including formulationdriven troubleshooting of surface defects, instability, degradation, dimensional control, and throughput limitations. Apply polymer processing fundamentals (heat transfer, shear and elongational flow, residence time, die swell, cooling, and orientation effects) to diagnose and resolve manufacturing issues. Partner with manufacturing, quality, and process engineering teams to scale laboratory formulations to robust, highyield production. Support pilotscale and plant trials. 

Testing & Characterization

Design and execute experimental plans using thermal, mechanical, rheological, and environmental characterization techniques (DSC, TGA, DMA, rheometry, weathering, impact, tensile, flexural). Interpret data using firstprinciples understanding of polymer behavior and PVC material response. Maintain high standards for documentation and technical rigor. 

Project Management & Technical Communication

Plan and execute technical projects with defined scope and milestones. Communicate complex polymer concepts clearly through written reports and presentations. Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders. 

What You'll Bring:

Required Qualifications 

PhD in Polymer Science, Polymer Engineering, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering with 0-7 years of experience, or MS with 3-10 years of experience.  

Strong fundamental knowledge of polymer chemistry and polymer engineering. Deep understanding of PVC materials including stabilization chemistry, fusion behavior, degradation mechanisms, and extrusion processing.  

Experience in AI assisted material characterizations and formulation development for composite materials. 

Strong written and verbal communication skills. 

Travel -35% (mainly domestic) 

Preferred Qualifications 

Handson experience with PVC compounding, extrusion, or formulation development. Experience supporting highvolume manufacturing or pilotscale operations. Familiarity with building materials and durability requirements. 

What You'll Receive:

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $120,000 - $135,000.  Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography and internal equity and may change over time. This position qualifies for benefits and you will be eligible to participate in a bonus plan.

At James Hardie, we recognize that our success depends on our people. We've worked hard to build a generous and competitive benefits program that demonstrates our commitment to our employees.

  • Compensation: competitive salary and bonus eligibility
  • Insurance: day-one health coverage medical, dental, vision, life insurance
  • Paid Time Off: vacation and company holidays
  • Retirement: 401(k) with 6% match
  • Investments: Employee Stock Purchase plan (ESP)
  • Work-Life Balance: parental leave, wellness programs
  • Purpose. Impact. Community: Sustainability Initiatives | James Hardie
  • More: Click here to learn more about our benefits

Build a Better Future for All - Apply now!

#LI-MB22

James Hardie Building Products Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other basis protected by law.
James Hardie will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies.
The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.

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