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Materials Engineer Phd Jobs (NOW HIRING)

LLNL

Research Materials Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

$9.7K/wk

Master's or PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. * Experience ...

Amazon

Materials Engineer, Amazon Leo

Redmond, WA · On-site

... PhD in materials engineering, metallurgy, materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related technical discipline - 2+ years of experience with electronic materials, magnets ...

Oura

Staff Materials Engineer, PVD

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. * Experience with biocompatibility and regulatory requirements for skin-contact ...

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How much do materials engineer phd jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 11, 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 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.
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Materials Engineer Phd jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Engineer Phd job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,738 per year, or $48.4 per hour.
Materials Engineer - Polymers

Materials Engineer - Polymers

A. O. Smith Corporation

Milwaukee, WI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Posted 23 days ago

A. O. Smith rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 29 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

262nd of 429 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

Company / Location Information
A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Primary Function
The Materials Engineer - Polymers will be a part of our Lloyd R. Smith Corporate Technology Center (CTC) Team in Milwaukee, WI. The CTC contains a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians with the purpose of researching, developing, and supporting technologies on a 3-5 year time horizon. This role will serve as the organization's Subject Matter Expert for plastics, rubbers, elastomers, and other polymeric materials used in water heating and water treatment equipment. The engineer will support global business units, manufacturing plants, quality teams, sourcing, suppliers, and product engineering by providing technical guidance on material selection, qualification, failure analysis, root cause investigation, product performance issues, and application suitability. The role will also develop analytical approaches and test methods to assess material performance and will conduct forward-looking research into new materials, additives, compounds, processing methods, and manufacturing technologies.
Responsibilities
  • Serve as the organization's Subject Matter Expert for polymeric materials, including plastics and rubbers, and educate the organization on material behavior, degradation mechanisms, chemical compatibility, processing effects, supplier variation, emerging material technologies, and best practices for material selection and use.
  • Lead materials-related failure analysis and root cause investigations for plastics, rubbers, elastomers, seals, gaskets, molded components, and other polymeric materials, including development of structured investigation plans, use of appropriate characterization methods, interpretation of evidence, documentation of findings, and recommendations for corrective actions.
  • Provide technical support to business units, manufacturing plants, quality teams, sourcing, suppliers, and product engineering teams on polymer-related product complaints, performance issues, material substitutions, and application suitability questions; develop analytical approaches and test methods needed to assess material performance and application suitability.
  • Support business unit needs by making recommendations for selecting, evaluating, and qualifying polymeric materials, including thermoplastics, thermosets, rubbers, elastomers, and composite materials, for water-contact, high-temperature, pressure-bearing, sealing, and chemically exposed applications.
  • Conduct forward-looking research into new polymeric materials, additives, compounds, processing methods, manufacturing technologies, and supplier capabilities that could improve product performance, reliability, cost, sustainability, manufacturability, or competitive differentiation.
  • Work with internal and external testing labs to verify material and product performance, develop new test methods as needed, and translate test data into well-communicated, practical recommendations for design, quality, manufacturing, and supplier decisions.

Qualifications
  • Master's or PhD in Polymer Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
  • 7 years of relevant experience. Candidates with less experience may be considered based on depth of expertise.
  • Demonstrated expertise in polymer engineering, materials failure analysis, root cause investigation, and technical problem solving; experience with adjacent materials such as metals, enamels, foams, adhesives, or coatings is beneficial.
  • Significant experience with plastics, rubbers, elastomers, and polymer characterization methods, including mechanical testing, thermal analysis such as DSC, TGA, and DMA, rheology and melt flow evaluation, spectroscopy such as FTIR, microscopy including SEM/EDS, hardness testing, compression set, chemical compatibility and swelling evaluation, aging studies, and other methods used to assess polymer composition, degradation, processing effects, and application performance.
  • Experience evaluating polymer degradation, environmental stress cracking, chemical attack, swelling, embrittlement, creep, fatigue, wear, aging, compression set, sealing performance, and other application-specific failure modes.
  • Ability to document and communicate technical findings clearly to engineering, quality, manufacturing, sourcing, supplier, and leadership audiences through concise reports, presentations, and recommendations.
  • Great communication and organizational skills, including the ability to facilitate and foster good cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teamwork.
  • Strong time management and prioritization skills to balance multiple projects within a defined schedule and budget.
  • Domestic and International travel required.

Education
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
We Offer
Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.
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ADA Statement & EEO Statement
In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.

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