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Materials Engineer Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Midland-Marvel Recruiters

Materials Engineer

Lexington, KY · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Prefer degree in Material Science, Chemistry, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field * Laboratory research experience with ASTM specimen molding and testing using FTIR, DSC, TGA ...

K&K Technical

Paint Project Engineer

Georgetown, KY · On-site

$55 - $65/hr

Position Overview 1489295 Paint Materials Engineer to support the development, testing, and implementation of new paint materials, colors, and technologies within automotive production environments.

Fruehauf Inc

Materials Manager

Bowling Green, KY · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Coordinate with Production, Engineering, Purchasing, and Warehouse teams to ensure material readiness. * Review production schedules and validate material availability prior to release. * Identify ...

Fruehauf Inc.

Materials Manager

Bowling Green, KY · On-site

$90/hr

Coordinate with Production, Engineering, Purchasing, and Warehouse teams to ensure material readiness. * Review production schedules and validate material availability prior to release. * Identify ...

1 point system

Paint Engineer

Georgetown, KY · On-site

New paint material introductions for automotive production. * Support for new model color launches ... Background in Chemical Engineering or Materials Engineering. * Pure laboratory or R&D roles without ...

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All JobsMaterials Engineer JobsMaterials Engineer Jobs in Kentucky

Materials Engineer information

See Kentucky salary details

$33K

$87.5K

$137.2K

How much do materials engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for materials engineer in Kentucky is $87,494.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,500.00 and $101,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a materials engineer do?

As a materials engineer, you develop, test, and process new materials. You may create new types of plastic, metal, or ceramic materials for use in various applications. You work with nanomaterials and other unusual substances to create products that meet specific chemical, electrical, or mechanical requirements. Depending on the company's needs and the status of a material's development, you typically work in a laboratory or an office setting. Many potential materials are modeled on computers before attempting manufacture, so familiarity with design software is paramount.

What is a materials engineer?

Materials engineers are professionals who study, develop, and test materials used to create a wide range of products, from computer chips to aircraft components. They work with metals, ceramics, plastics, composites, and other substances to improve their properties and performance. Their work often involves selecting appropriate materials for specific applications, researching new materials, and troubleshooting issues related to material failures. Materials engineers play a critical role in advancing technologies in industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and biomedical engineering.

What are some common challenges materials engineers face when working on cross-functional project teams?

Materials Engineers often collaborate with professionals from design, manufacturing, and quality assurance departments. One common challenge is effectively communicating complex materials science concepts to team members without a technical background. Additionally, balancing the ideal material properties with project cost, manufacturability, and timeline constraints requires strong problem-solving and negotiation skills. Overcoming these challenges typically involves active participation in team meetings, clear documentation, and a willingness to adapt solutions based on feedback from various stakeholders.

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

To thrive as a Materials Engineer, you need a solid understanding of materials science, engineering principles, and typically a bachelor's degree in materials, chemical, or mechanical engineering. Familiarity with analytical tools like scanning electron microscopes (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and computer-aided design (CAD) software is often required. Effective problem-solving, project management, and strong communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and present findings clearly. These abilities are essential for developing innovative materials and ensuring product reliability and performance in various industries.

What is the difference between Materials Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectMaterials EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Materials Science, Metallurgy, or related field; often includes certifications like ASM certificationsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; PE license may be preferred
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing plants, quality controlDesign offices, manufacturing facilities, testing labs
Industry UsageMaterials development, failure analysis, quality assuranceProduct design, systems, and machinery development

Materials Engineers focus on developing and testing materials used in products, while Mechanical Engineers design and analyze mechanical systems. Both roles often collaborate but serve different core functions within manufacturing and product development industries.

More about Materials Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Materials Engineer jobs in Kentucky? The most popular types of Materials Engineer jobs in Kentucky are:
What are popular job titles related to Materials Engineer jobs in Kentucky? For Materials Engineer jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Materials Engineer jobs in Kentucky look for? The top searched job categories for Materials Engineer jobs in Kentucky are:
What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Materials Engineer jobs? Cities in Kentucky with the most Materials Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Materials Engineer jobs in KY? For Materials Engineer jobs in KY, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Materials Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Engineer job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $87,494 per year, or $42.1 per hour.

Materials Engineer

Midland-Marvel Recruiters

Lexington, KY • On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a self-driven, initiative-taking, hands-on, recycled polymer expert with a background in polypropylene and polyethylene. The purchased recycled material is used in blending to specific properties. The blended material is used to injection mold large products. The candidate must have a thorough understanding of the relationship between the incoming properties of the recycled polymers and the properties of the blended polymers related to the finished part properties.



Responsibilities



  • Support the evaluation of purchased recycled materials
  • Recommend recycled materials to purchase based upon properties and costs
  • Support the daily blending of recycled and virgin materials for the Materials Processing Department
  • Support the daily decision-making of the blended materials and recommend where they should be used
  • Support the optimal blend of wide virgin resin usage with prime materials in the products
  • Maximize the material cost savings while ensuring the final product material specifications are being met
  • Partner with Materials Processing to interpret the test results and recommend the best course of action
  • Work with the Materials group to establish process controls for materials and processing
  • Correlation of polymer blend/formulation with observed properties
  • Identify equipment needs for effective controls
  • Work with in-house ISO/IEC 17025 accredited polymer lab
  • Control and recommend enhancements to the Blendsheet software application
  • Provide technical recycled expertise
  • Available during evenings / weekends for issues that would hold up production.


Qualifications



  • At least 10 years’ experience in recycled PP and PE
  • Prefer degree in Material Science, Chemistry, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field
  • Laboratory research experience with ASTM specimen molding and testing using FTIR, DSC, TGA, plastometer, tensile, flexural, and notched Izod is required


Required Skills



  • A strong team player with a positive and professional attitude, and a strong bias for solving problems
  • In-depth knowledge of the latest technologies on recycled material testing and processing
  • Demonstrated work experience in plastic injection molding
  • Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration skills
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Good verbal and written communication skills, as well as presentation skills
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
  • Effective written and oral communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and influence peers
  • Must be willing to work in the Lexington, KY area
  • Experience in Polyethylene, Polypropylene, HDPE, LLDPE, LDPE, polyolefins or thermoplastics would be a plus.





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