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Materials Engineer Jobs in Rio Rancho, NM (NOW HIRING)

Join us as a Materials Program Manager, where you will play an operationally focused role ... Engagement with supplier personnel which may include sponsorship of field service engineers, budget ...

Who We Are Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting ...

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Materials Engineer information

See Rio Rancho, NM salary details

$35.7K

$94.8K

$148.6K

How much do materials engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for materials engineer in Rio Rancho, NM is $94,755.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,200.00 and $109,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 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.

Is it hard to get a job as a materials engineer?

Getting a job as a materials engineer can be competitive, especially without relevant experience or advanced degrees. Strong skills in materials analysis, proficiency with engineering software, and professional certifications can improve employment prospects. Entry-level positions may be easier to obtain with internships or co-op experience.

What are popular job titles related to Materials Engineer jobs in Rio Rancho, NM?

For Materials Engineer jobs in Rio Rancho, NM, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Materials Engineer jobs in Rio Rancho, NM look for?

The top searched job categories for Materials Engineer jobs in Rio Rancho, NM are:

What cities near Rio Rancho, NM are hiring for Materials Engineer jobs?

Cities near Rio Rancho, NM with the most Materials Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Materials Engineer job openings in Rio Rancho, NM as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,856 per year, or $43.7 per hour.

Low Observable Materials Engineer

Albuquerque, NM


Raytheon
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 72 rated aerospace companies

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

Date Posted:

2026-08-10

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-AZ-TUCSON-827C ~ 1151 E Hermans Rd ~ BLDG 827C (External Site)

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance Type:

Secret - Current

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and a higher calling – to help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression. We bring the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world.   

Raytheon is an industry leader in Stealth Technology. We are involved in all phases of development, production, and maintenance of Low Observable (LO) weapon systems. You will be working on cutting-edge projects, developing next-generation materials, and integrating advanced signature control techniques into our defense systems.

What You Will Do

  • You will be responsible for material and process development, characterization and system level integration in support of all Raytheon product lines and new business.

  • Material performance predictions and measurement tests of developmental and production systems. 

  • You will be expected to perform material measurements of constitutive and RF attenuation properties and generate predicted material performance using Computational Electromagnetic Codes (CEM) tools. 

  • You will work in integrated product teams to incorporate advanced signature control techniques into deliverable products and aid in the assessment of system performance. 

  • Material formulation and development

  • Fabrication process development

  • Composites operations support

  • Material testing and characterization (RF, mechanical, physical)

  • Preparation of engineering documentation

  • Customer and supplier interface

  • Participation/leadership of and program reviews

  • Project management

  • Mentor early career engineers.

  • Strong ownership of tasks; ability to function as Materials Lead on Integrated Product Teams

This job is in Tucson, AZ and the position is onsite

Qualifications You Must Have

  • Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience, or An Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years experience

  • Experience in Low Observables or Radar materials  

  • Experience in any of the following: Material characterization, or performance testing and/or prediction, and/or design experience, material down-select and/or integration on to air vehicle.

  • Experience with customer and supplier collaboration

Qualifications We Prefer

  • Master’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM)

  • High temperature LO materials characterization, testing, and integration

  • Experience with intrinsic property analytical techniques for the electromagnetic characterization of material.

  • Competence in utilizing thermal analysis techniques (DMA, TMA, TGA, DSC) properties.

  • Agile communicator, with effective interaction style that fosters collaboration with a multi-disciplined team, suppliers, and customers.

  • Skilled at planning, prioritizing, and executing projects/programs to successful completions.

  • Proposal Writing and Basis of Estimate (BOE) development experience.

  • CAD software proficiency and technical programming experience (Python, C++, MATLAB, etc.)

  • Experience with Infrared signature analysis and control.

  • A current active U.S. Government in-scope DoD Top Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).

What We Offer

• Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

Relocation Eligibility

Learn More & Apply Now!

Please consider the following role type definition as you apply for this role. Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

#LI-AP2

#LI-CV1

#LI-JO1

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance. This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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About RTX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing, it services, aerospace product and parts manufacturing and engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Waltham, MA, US

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What RTX employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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