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

The Materials and Process Engineering Department, which functions within Hardware Engineering, is looking for a Materials Engineer to join our Advanced Materials Section in Tucson, AZ. A qualified ...

Materials Technician

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$17.75 - $24/hr

At Bohannan Huston , we support civil engineering and construction projects across New Mexico. Our Materials Technicians are essential to ensuring the integrity and safety of roads, bridges ...

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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 Jul 21, 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 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.

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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,755 per year, or $45.6 per hour.
Materials Engineer II

Materials Engineer II

Raytheon

Albuquerque, NM

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Raytheon rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 97 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 528 rated manufacturers


Job description

Date Posted:

2026-05-20

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-AZ-TUCSON-M02 ~ 1151 E Hermans Rd ~ BLDG M02

Position Role Type:

Onsite

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

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required after 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.

The Materials and Process Engineering Department, which functions within Hardware Engineering, is looking for a Materials Engineer to join our Advanced Materials Section in Tucson, AZ.  A qualified candidate will have a background in materials science and/or engineering.  This position will offer a qualified candidate the opportunity to support research, development, and implementation of solutions to key issues. A candidate must be able to manage and coordinate simultaneous tasks within set schedule requirements. This candidate will become part of a multi-disciplined team, and will be mentored and trained by subject matter experts.

What You Will Do

  • You will work with subject matter experts in ceramics and other materials, supporting processing and characterization.

  • You will be collecting data and compiling the data and observations/results to report to internal and external customers.

  • You will gain mentorship and shoulder-to-shoulder empirical experience from the senior engineers.

  • You will work independently or with teams to solve materials challenges.

  • Travel requirements: as needed to support programs and work with vendors

What You Will Learn

  • You will learn about advanced materials and their uses, including ceramics and composites

  • You will learn how to characterize and evaluate various materials, measuring mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties

  • You will learn how to select the correct material for specific applications and troubleshoot material related failures

  • You will learn how to work with suppliers to support manufacturing efforts

  • You will learn about the maturation and development process of materials within Raytheon

  • You will learn about various material challenges related to high temperature applications and have the opportunity to work on new solutions to these challenges

The Materials Engineer II job is in Tucson, AZ and the position is onsite.

Qualifications You Must Have

  • Typically requires A University Degree or equivalent experience
    and minimum 2 years of prior relevant experience, or An Advanced Degree in a related field.

  • Experience in ceramics or coatings or composite materials

Qualifications We Prefer

  • Bachelor's Degree in Materials Science/Engineering, Ceramics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, or related disciplines.

  • Experience working on programs, projects, or products associated with the Defense Industry

  • Strong verbal and communication skills, proven capability interacting with cross-functional teams, interacting with teammates of varied experience (students, professors, industry members)

  • Good analytical and problem-solving skills

  • Ability to work both in groups and independently, often with guidance of more senior colleagues.

  • Demonstrate multi-task capabilities in fast paced environment.

  • Experience with mechanical and/or chemical analysis methods and characterization techniques

  • Ability to write concise technical reports summarizing analyses

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

  • Strong communication, interpersonal, planning and time management skills

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.

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-SM4

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 68,900 USD - 131,100 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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