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Materials Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Faithtechnologies

Senior Materials Science Engineer

Menasha, WI · On-site

$106K - $146K/yr

The Material Science Senior Engineer will support the development, characterization, selection, and qualification of materials used across products, components, and manufacturing processes. This role ...

Blachford

Be Seen First

Engineer

Menomonee Falls, WI · On-site

$60K - $105K/yr

Materials Engineer * Process / Product Development Engineer * Mechanical or Design Engineer * Quality Engineer * Sales Engineer / Applications Engineer Locations: West Chicago, IL & Milwaukee, WI ...

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All JobsMaterials Engineer JobsMaterials Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin

Materials Engineer information

See Wisconsin salary details

$38.4K

$101.7K

$159.5K

How much do materials engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for materials engineer in Wisconsin is $101,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,700.00 and $117,600.00 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 Wisconsin? The most popular types of Materials Engineer jobs in Wisconsin are:
What are popular job titles related to Materials Engineer jobs in Wisconsin? For Materials Engineer jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Materials Engineer jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Materials Engineer jobs in Wisconsin are:
What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Materials Engineer jobs? Cities in Wisconsin with the most Materials Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Materials Engineer jobs in WI? For Materials Engineer jobs in WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Materials Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Engineer job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $101,680 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

Sr Engineer Materials - Steel Systems

Harley-Davidson

Wauwatosa, WI

$101K - $139K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Auto req ID: 54008 
Title: Sr Engineer Materials - Steel Systems 
Job Function: Engineering 
Location: PDC
Workplace Category:Onsite 
Company: Harley-Davidson Motor Company 
Full or Part-Time: Full Time 
Shift: SHIFT1 

At Harley-Davidson, we are building more than machines. It’s our passion and commitment to continue the evolution of this storied brand, and heighten the desirability of the Harley-Davidson experience. To keep building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution, and emotion we need the best and brightest talent. We stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Are you ready to join us?

The Harley-Davidson Motor Company Product Development Center (PDC) located in Wauwatosa, WI is home to the mantra – You dream it. We build it. Join our team as a  Sr Engineer Materials - Steel Systems.

Job Summary

The Senior Materials Engineer is responsible for supporting the Product Development Process by providing deep technical expertise in ferrous materials, with a primary focus on steels used in motorcycle components and systems. This role partners with product development, manufacturing, and suppliers to ensure robust material selection, processing, and performance. The engineer leads material-related problem solving, including failure analysis and root cause investigations, with an emphasis on durability, fatigue performance, and heat treatment control of steel components.

Job Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

  • The role requires strong applied knowledge of steel alloys, including how composition, microstructure, and processing influence mechanical properties and long-term durability. The engineer guides material selection and design decisions for critical components such as structural parts, powertrain elements, and fasteners.
  • A key expectation is expertise in ferrous manufacturing processes, including forgings, castings, and sheet metal, with an emphasis on how processing influences grain structure, residual stress, and defect formation. The engineer works closely with suppliers and manufacturing teams to ensure process capability, optimize performance, and reduce variability.
  • The position includes leadership of failure analysis and root cause investigations related to steel components. This involves metallurgical evaluation of fracture surfaces, microstructure, and material conditions, with clear documentation and actionable recommendations to improve design or process robustness.
  • The engineer applies deep knowledge of heat treatment processes such as carburizing, nitriding, induction hardening, and through-hardening, with an understanding of how these processes impact hardness, toughness, fatigue strength, and distortion. The role also includes supporting specifications and validation of heat treatment processes at suppliers.
  • In collaboration with design and validation teams, the engineer supports understanding of mechanical behavior, particularly fatigue and fracture performance under cyclic loading, and how material condition and manufacturing variability influence field performance.
  • The role requires strong cross-functional engagement, providing technical leadership to engineering teams, supporting supplier development, and ensuring alignment between design intent, material capability, and manufacturing processes.

Laboratory & Analytical Capability

  • The candidate should be proficient in metallurgical and analytical techniques used to evaluate ferrous materials, including hardness testing, optical emission spectroscopy, microscopy, and fractography. The ability to translate laboratory data into meaningful engineering conclusions is essential. Candidate must be willing to perform preventive maintenance on lab equipment, plan for ordering necessary lab equipment, and keep track of budget expenses. 

Leadership & Communication

  • This role serves as a technical leader in ferrous materials, providing guidance across engineering teams and mentoring others as needed. The candidate must communicate technical topics clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's Degree Required
Education Specifications

Position requires a bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, or related field is required

Experience Requirements
  • A minimum of five years of experience in materials engineering is required, with demonstrated experience in steel materials, heat treatment processes, and durability or failure analysis in product development or manufacturing environments.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

The pay range shown represents the national average pay range for this role. Your pay may be more or less than the stated range and is dependent on your geographic location and level of experience.

We offer an inclusive compensation package for all full-time salaried employees including, but not limited to, annual bonus programs, health insurance benefits, a 401k program, onsite fitness centers and employee stores, employee discounts on products and accessories, and more. Learn more about Harley-Davidson here. 

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Direct Reports: Yes  
Travel Required: 0 - 10%  
Pay Range: $93,400 - $145,000 
Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or visa transfer  
Relocation: This position is eligible for domestic relocation assistance (within posted country)  

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