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Materials Research Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

New York University

Research Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$26.37/hr

... materials. To establish these activities into accessible documents and support the underlying ... research engineer to assist with these ongoing activities. New York University (NYU) is one of the ...

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Materials Research Engineer information

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$29.5K

$95.3K

$155K

How much do materials research engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for materials research engineer in the United States is $95,315.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $109,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Materials Research Engineer do?

A Materials Research Engineer studies, develops, and tests materials to create new products or improve existing ones. They analyze the structure and properties of metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and other materials to determine how they can be used in engineering applications. Their work often involves collaborating with scientists and other engineers to develop materials that meet specific mechanical, electrical, or chemical requirements for industries like aerospace, automotive, electronics, and manufacturing. Materials Research Engineers also play a key role in quality control and in ensuring materials are safe, durable, and cost-effective.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Materials Research Engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Materials Research Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, chemistry, and engineering principles, often supported by at least a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, materials characterization techniques (such as SEM, XRD, TEM), and modeling software like MATLAB or ANSYS is typically required. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and presenting research findings. These skills and qualifications are crucial for developing innovative materials solutions and advancing technology across various industries.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced materials research engineers working in specialized industries such as aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, or defense may reach or exceed a $500,000 annual salary, especially with advanced skills, leadership roles, or in high-cost regions. Such salaries often include bonuses, stock options, or other incentives and typically require extensive expertise and a strong track record in research and development.

What are some common challenges Materials Research Engineers face when working on new product development?

Materials Research Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing innovative material properties with manufacturability and cost constraints. They must collaborate closely with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure that new materials meet performance requirements while remaining practical for large-scale production. Additionally, keeping up with rapid advancements in material science and integrating emerging technologies into existing processes can require continuous learning and adaptability. Effective communication and project management skills are key to overcoming these challenges and driving successful product development.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior materials research engineers with extensive experience, advanced degrees, and specialized skills in areas like nanotechnology or semiconductor materials can earn $200,000 or more annually. High salaries are often associated with leadership roles, working in high-tech industries, or in organizations with competitive compensation packages.

What is the difference between Materials Research Engineer vs Materials Scientist?

AspectMaterials Research EngineerMaterials Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, Engineering, or related fieldBachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Materials Science or related discipline
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D departmentsLaboratories, academic institutions, industry research centers
Industry UsageApplied research, product development, process improvementFundamental research, material characterization, scientific analysis

Materials Research Engineers focus on applying scientific principles to develop new materials and improve manufacturing processes, often working in industry settings. Materials Scientists typically conduct fundamental research to understand material properties, often within academic or research institutions. Both roles require strong technical skills and knowledge of materials, but their primary focus and work environments differ.

Are materials engineers in high demand?

Materials research engineers are in high demand due to ongoing advancements in technology, manufacturing, and sustainable materials. They often work in industries such as aerospace, electronics, and energy, with employment prospects driven by innovation and research needs.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior materials research engineers working in advanced industries such as aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, or defense can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand fields, holding advanced degrees, and possessing expertise in areas like nanomaterials or process development.
More about Materials Research Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Materials Research Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Materials Research Engineer job openings:
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What states have the most Materials Research Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Materials Research Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Materials Research Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Materials Research Engineer jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Materials Research Engineer jobs? For Materials Research Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Materials Research Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Research Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,315 per year, or $45.8 per hour.
Materials Science Research Faculty

Materials Science Research Faculty

Penn State University

University Park, PA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 15 days ago

Penn State University rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

204th of 555 rated colleges and universities

Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
We are seeking a research scientist with a strong background in corrosion for a Research Faculty position within the Materials Science and Applications Division of the Materials, Manufacturing and Sustainment Office at the Penn State University Applied Research Laboratory (ARL). Penn State ARL's purpose is to develop innovative solutions to challenging national problems in support of the Navy, DoD, and Intel communities engineering and technology needs.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
  • Lead the development of proposals and statements of work on projects related to cold spray, additive manufacturing, and other materials science related research
  • Work alongside experts in materials science, metallurgy, engineering and performance modeling to uncover structure property relationships in a wide range material systems
  • Support the Division as a Principal Investigator (PI) and co-PI
  • Execute and manage projects including developing test plans, schedules, reports, and presentations and coordinating the completion of analysis and design work related to each project

Non-tenurefaculty rank will be commensurate with education level and experience.
Required skills/experience areas include:
  • Have 4 years technical experience in hands on experimental corrosion research and electrochemical characterization of alloys
  • Experience with materials characterization techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, Powder Particle Size Distribution, and Optical Microscopy
  • Past success in the development of proposals, statements of work, test plans, reports, briefs, academic papers, and conference presentations
  • Demonstrated ability to work through a difficult problem, using proper steps to define and formulate ideas to reach a solution

Preferred skills/experience areas include:
  • Working knowledge of cold spray and additive manufacturing technologies and metal powders
  • Working knowledge of computational and analytical corrosion research methods
  • Comfortable working in a laboratory environment, performing data collection and troubleshooting
  • Success in an office environment, where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
  • Previous success with collaborations in a multi-disciplinary, team-oriented, culture
  • Active DoD security clearance

Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College. This position will require periodic travel to meetings, conferences, or to remote locations in support of testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers, and technologists.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.
For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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