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Materials Engineering Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Pic-Time Ltd.

Buyer and Materials Planner

Denver, CO · On-site

This role turns bills of material, engineering releases, and program schedules into material plans, purchase orders, and a clear picture of what is short and what is at risk. It also owns change ...

Opterus

Composites Engineer

Loveland, CO · Hybrid

$90K - $128K/yr

We combine cutting-edge composite materials, origami-inspired architectures, and elegant engineering to deliver lightweight, high-performance solutions for commercial, defense, and scientific ...

Opterus

Composites Engineer

Loveland, CO · On-site

$90K - $128K/yr

We combine cutting-edge composite materials, origami-inspired architectures, and elegant engineering to deliver lightweight, high-performance solutions for commercial, defense, and scientific ...

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All JobsMaterials Engineering JobsMaterials Engineering Jobs in Colorado

Materials Engineering information

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$14

$28

$46

How much do materials engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for materials engineering in Colorado is $28.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.48 and $34.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is materials engineering?

Materials engineering is a branch of engineering focused on the discovery, design, and development of new materials, as well as improving existing materials for various applications. Materials engineers study the properties and structures of metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and other substances to understand how they can be used or enhanced. Their work is essential in industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, construction, and healthcare, where selecting the right material can impact performance, safety, and cost. Materials engineers often collaborate with other engineers and scientists to solve complex problems and create innovative products.

What are some common challenges materials engineers face when working on new product development projects?

Materials engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing cost, performance, and manufacturability when selecting or designing materials for new products. They must work closely with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure that chosen materials meet all technical and regulatory requirements without exceeding budget constraints. Additionally, materials engineers need to stay updated on emerging technologies and standards, which can make decision-making more complex but also rewarding as it drives innovation and professional growth.

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 strong background in materials science, chemistry, and physics, usually supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in materials engineering or a related field. Familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD) tools, materials characterization instruments, and industry-specific certifications (such as EIT or PE) is often required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you excel when collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and presenting findings. These skills are essential for developing innovative materials, ensuring product quality, and supporting the advancement of technology in various industries.

What is the difference between Materials Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectMaterials EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Materials Science or Engineering, possibly a master'sBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, possibly a master's
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing plants, R&D centersDesign offices, manufacturing facilities, testing labs
Industry UsageMaterials development, failure analysis, quality controlProduct design, thermodynamics, mechanical systems

Materials Engineering focuses on developing and testing materials used in various industries, while Mechanical Engineering emphasizes designing and analyzing mechanical systems. Both fields share similar credentials and often work in overlapping environments, but their core focuses differ significantly.

Is there a demand for materials engineers?

Materials engineering is a growing field with steady demand in industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and energy. Materials engineers are needed to develop new materials, improve manufacturing processes, and ensure product quality, often requiring knowledge of CAD software and materials testing techniques. Job prospects are strong for those with specialized skills and relevant certifications.

What does a materials engineer do?

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, use tools like microscopes and testing equipment, and often work in laboratories or manufacturing environments to innovate and solve material-related problems.

What jobs can I get with a materials engineering degree?

Materials engineering graduates can pursue roles such as materials engineer, quality control engineer, process engineer, or research scientist. These positions often involve working with metals, polymers, ceramics, or composites in manufacturing, research labs, or development environments, and may require knowledge of testing methods and materials properties.

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Materials Engineering jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Materials Engineering job openings:

Materials Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Engineering job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% 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 $58,430 per year, or $28.1 per hour.

Optical Coatings Materials Scientist

Denver, CO • On-site

Xcimer Energy
See more jobs at Xcimer Energyexternal

$140K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research in inertial fusion energy (IFE) combined with innovative engineering and manufacturing approaches. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants at scale to meet global decarbonization goals. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders across fusion science, materials, and manufacturing with a strong track record of execution. Backed by leading investors, Xcimer is uniquely positioned to deliver clean, reliable fusion energy.
 
This is a full-time, onsite role based at our headquarters in Denver, CO.
 
As a Optical Coatings Materials Scientist in the Materials & Process Engineering (M&P) Department, you will work closely with the optical and laser systems teams to develop and implement advanced coatings and material solutions for fluorine-resistant environments. This role is hands-on and execution-driven, spanning coating development, materials characterization, and scale-up to production-relevant processes.
 
You will play a critical role in enabling durable optical performance and system reliability in aggressive chemical environments, directly impacting the core performance of Xcimer’s fusion systems.
Responsibilities
  • Develop and optimize fluorine-resistant optical coatings for laser-facing components, including mirrors, windows, and diagnostic optics.
  • Design and evaluate fluorine-compatible material systems for broader system applications (e.g., chambers, fixtures, and exposed hardware).
  • Work closely with the optics and laser engineering teams to define coating requirements, performance targets, and integration constraints.
  • Lead hands-on coating deposition efforts, including thin film development, process tuning, and substrate preparation.
  • Design and execute test plans and Design of Experiments (DOE) to evaluate coating adhesion, durability, chemical resistance, and optical performance.
  • Perform detailed materials and coating characterization, including microstructural, compositional, and optical property analysis.
  • Analyze failure modes (e.g., delamination, degradation under fluorine exposure) and drive root cause investigations and corrective actions.
  • Develop and document coating processes, specifications, and qualification procedures.
  • Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to scale coating processes from lab development to pilot and high-volume manufacturing.
  • Support integration of coatings into system hardware, including validation under relevant operating conditions.
  • Contribute to the development of experimental infrastructure and coating test platforms within M&P.
Qualifications
  • Education: PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics or a closely related field.
  • Experience: 5–10 years of industry experience in coating development, materials engineering, or related fields.
  • Demonstrated experience developing optical coatings and/or protective coatings for harsh environments.
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Thin film deposition processes (e.g., PVD, CVD, IBS, ALD,  sputtering, evaporation, plasma-based methods)
    • Coating adhesion, stress, and durability mechanisms
    • Optical coating performance (reflectivity, absorption, damage thresholds)
  • Hands-on experience with coating fabrication and processing.
  • Hands-on expertise with materials and coating characterization tools, including:
    • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
    • Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
    • Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS/EDX)
    • X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
    • Optical microscopy and profilometry
    • Surface analysis and coating thickness/roughness measurements
    • Strong ability to correlate microstructure, composition, and processing conditions to coating performance
  • Experience designing and executing DOE and structured experiments.
  • Ability to independently troubleshoot complex materials and coating failures.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary, hardware-focused environment.
  • Execution-focused mindset with the ability to move quickly from concept to validation.
  • Strong collaborator, able to work across optics, materials, and system teams
  • Strong data analysis skills and familiarity with statistical methods.
  • Experience writing technical reports, specifications, and documentation.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Desired
  • Experience developing coatings for chemically aggressive environments, particularly fluorine or halogen chemistries.
  • Background in laser optics, optical coatings, or high-energy laser systems.
  • Experience transitioning coatings from R&D to pilot or high-volume manufacturing.
  • Familiarity with scaling coating processes for industrial production.
  • Experience working with external coating vendors or contract manufacturers.
  • Knowledge of coating durability testing standards (thermal cycling, chemical exposure, laser damage).
  • Experience in system-level integration of coatings into hardware environments.
  • Highly hands-on and experimental, comfortable working in lab and hardware environments.
Candidates may be considered for other positions at Xcimer Energy, and our actual base salary will be determined on an individual basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The range is published in accordance with Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and California Equal Pay Act.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information on “EEO Is the Law,” please see here and here.
 
Benefits
Xcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the company’s long-term success.
Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown. Benefits are available to regular employees, including part-time and fixed-term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.