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Materials Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Westlake Corporation

Materials Engineer

Bristol, TN · On-site

Westlake is hiring a Materials Engineer in Bristol, TN to help drive formulation innovation, process improvement, and manufacturing performance. In this role, you will work closely with operations ...

Westlake

Materials Engineer

Bristol, TN · On-site

Westlake is hiring a Materials Engineer in Bristol, TN to help drive formulation innovation, process improvement, and manufacturing performance. In this role, you will work closely with operations ...

Westlake

Materials Engineer

Bristol, TN

Westlake is hiring a Materials Engineer in Bristol, TN to help drive formulation innovation, process improvement, and manufacturing performance. In this role, you will work closely with operations ...

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All JobsMaterials Engineer JobsMaterials Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

Materials Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$34.5K

$91.4K

$143.4K

How much do materials engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for materials engineer in Tennessee is $91,431.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,600.00 and $105,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is the Job of a Materials Engineer?

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 are materials engineers?

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 engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, and certain senior roles in software or data engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These positions typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and often involve leadership or executive responsibilities.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior materials engineers, especially those with extensive experience, advanced certifications, or working in high-demand industries like aerospace or oil and gas, can earn $200,000 or more annually. Achieving this level often requires specialized skills, leadership roles, and working in regions with high cost of living or competitive markets.

What jobs can materials engineers do?

Materials engineers design, develop, and test materials such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites for use in products and structures. They work in industries like aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, and electronics, often using tools like computer-aided design (CAD) and conducting laboratory testing. Their roles may include research, quality control, and process improvement, requiring knowledge of material properties and engineering principles.

What is the work of a Materials Engineer?

A Materials Engineer researches, develops, and tests materials such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites to improve their performance and suitability for specific applications. They analyze material properties, design new materials, and work with manufacturing processes, often using tools like microscopes and testing equipment to ensure quality and safety.

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, and why are they important?

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 Tennessee? The most popular types of Materials Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Materials Engineer jobs in Tennessee? For Materials Engineer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Materials Engineer jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Materials Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Materials Engineer jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Materials Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Materials Engineer jobs in TN? For Materials Engineer jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Materials Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,431 per year, or $44 per hour.

Materials Engineer

Westlake Corporation

Bristol, TN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Westlake Chemical rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 34 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 100 rated chemical manufacturers

Job description

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.
Westlake is hiring a Materials Engineer in Bristol, TN to help drive formulation innovation, process improvement, and manufacturing performance. In this role, you will work closely with operations, R&D, suppliers, and business leaders to optimize compounds, solve production challenges, and support new product development. This is a strong opportunity for an engineer who enjoys hands-on plant support, cross-functional collaboration, and using data to improve quality, efficiency, and product performance.
Why Join Us
  • Make a direct impact on product and process innovation in a hands-on manufacturing environment.
  • Collaborate with operations, R&D, and suppliers to improve quality, performance, and cost efficiency.
  • Step into a high-visibility role where your technical expertise will help shape new products, improve plant performance, and drive measurable business impact.

What You'll Do
Key responsibilities include:
  • Lead the development, testing, and implementation of new material compounds to support productivity, quality, and business objectives.
  • Develop standard work and scalable processes for evaluating and implementing compounding changes across production platforms.
  • Use design of experiments and other analytical methods to assess formulation changes and their impact on manufacturing performance.
  • Partner with operations, R&D, and leadership to solve production issues, improve processes, and support new product development.
  • Coordinate laboratory work, pilot trials, and production trials to improve product performance, reduce scrap, and optimize cost efficiency.
  • Analyze data using statistical tools and communicate findings clearly to technical and operational stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with suppliers to stay current on new raw materials, equipment, and industry developments.
  • Support formulation cost analysis, capital planning, and process improvement initiatives related to existing and new products.

What You Bring
  • Bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited university in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, or Plastics Engineering.
  • 3 to 5 years of hands-on plastics compounding experience, ideally in rigid or foamed PVC extrusion or a similar chemical or physical manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with PVC extrusion processes and polymer formulation development.
  • Knowledge of Six Sigma methodologies and tools such as DOE, DMAIC, FMEA, Fishbone, and 5-Why analysis.
  • Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

Skills for Success
  • Strong collaborative problem-solving skills in a manufacturing environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to make data-driven decisions to support compounding and extrusion plant operations.
  • Strong organization, project management, and task prioritization skills.
  • Ability to define problems, execute trials, analyze data, draw sound conclusions, and build consensus across technical and operational teams.
  • Knowledge of polymer chemistry, manufacturing processes, testing, and material analysis.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills across all levels of the organization.
  • Ability to build collaborative working relationships with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this role, the employee is regularly required to sit and frequently required to stand, walk, use hands, reach, and communicate. The role may occasionally require stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. May require air or auto travel up to 10% of the time to support sites across North America.
Work Environment
This role is based in a moderate-noise office environment with periodic travel to manufacturing facilities. Facility environments may include elevated noise levels, exposure to weather elements, proximity to moving equipment, and climbing ladders. Appropriate personal protective equipment, including hearing protection, steel-toe shoes, safety glasses, and hard hats, may be required while working in a facility.
Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance people's lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.
Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.
Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.
If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates), please do not apply here. You will apply via the Jobs Hub application in Workday.

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