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Materials Science Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TERRACON

Materials Scientist/Engineer

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$57K - $80K/yr

Our Materials Science Laboratory specializes in the evaluation of concrete, cement, supplementary ... Collaborate with scientists, engineers, geologists, and technicians on a variety of laboratory ...

TERRACON

Materials Scientist/Engineer

Saint Paul, MN

Terracon is seeking an early-career Materials Scientist or Engineer to join our growing Materials ... Our Materials Science Laboratory specializes in the evaluation of concrete, cement, supplementary ...

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How much do materials science engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for materials science engineer in the United States is $92,639.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,000.00 and $102,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a materials science engineer do?

A Materials Science Engineer studies and develops materials to improve their performance, durability, and efficiency in various applications. They work with metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites to create new materials or enhance existing ones for industries such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and electronics. Their work involves research, testing, and developing manufacturing processes to ensure materials meet required standards. They collaborate with scientists, engineers, and manufacturers to solve material-related challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a materials science engineer?

To thrive as a Materials Science Engineer, you need a strong grasp of materials characterization, thermodynamics, and engineering principles, typically supported by a degree in materials science, chemistry, or a related field. Familiarity with lab testing equipment, materials modeling software, and certifications such as Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing can be highly valuable. Effective teamwork, problem-solving, and clear communication skills enable you to collaborate across disciplines and convey complex findings. These abilities are crucial for driving innovation, ensuring product quality, and meeting project goals in materials development and engineering environments.

What are some common challenges faced by materials science engineers in their daily work?

Materials Science Engineers often encounter challenges such as optimizing material properties for specific applications, troubleshooting manufacturing defects, and staying current with rapidly evolving material technologies. They may need to balance theoretical research with practical implementation, all while ensuring compliance with industry standards and project deadlines. Working in this role often involves close collaboration with product designers, engineers, and production teams to integrate new materials into existing or novel products. Overcoming these challenges requires both technical expertise and the ability to communicate complex information effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Is materials science engineering a good career?

Materials Science Engineering is a promising career that involves developing and testing new materials for various industries such as aerospace, electronics, and healthcare. It requires strong knowledge of chemistry, physics, and engineering principles, often utilizing tools like microscopy and spectroscopy, with opportunities for research, development, and innovation. Job prospects are generally good, especially for those with advanced degrees or specialized skills.

What kind of jobs do materials science engineers do?

Materials science engineers research, develop, and test materials such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites for various applications. They work in industries like aerospace, automotive, electronics, and healthcare, often using tools like microscopy and spectroscopy, and may require knowledge of manufacturing processes and material properties.
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Materials Science Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Science Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,639 per year, or $44.5 per hour.

Materials Science Engineer

Kennametal, Inc.

Latrobe, PA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Kennametal rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

273rd of 495 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

About Kennametal
With over 80 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace and defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Every day approximately 8,700 employees are helping customers in nearly 100 countries stay competitive. Kennametal generated $2.1 billion in revenues in fiscal 2023. Learn more at www.kennametal.com. Follow @Kennametal: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Job Title: Engineer - Materials Science & Engineering
Location: Latrobe, PA (Hybrid)
Company
With over 80 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace and defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Every day approximately 8,700 employees are helping customers in nearly 100 countries stay competitive. Kennametal generated $2.1 billion in revenues in fiscal 2023. Learn more at www.kennametal.com. Follow @Kennametal: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Job Description - Requirements
Kennametal has an opening for an experienced candidate in Material Science and Engineering, Chemical, Solid State or Physical Science and Engineering for an assignment in our research facility in the Pittsburgh, PA region. A minimum of a B.S. degree with preferably three years of practical experience in one of the above field of studies will be given consideration for a commensurate title and assignment. Knowledge of physical metallurgy particularly in powdered metals / hard metal /metal alloys / industrial ceramics is strongly preferred. Knowledge about metal powder particle manipulation, application, surface science, chemical and physical vapor deposited coatings and polymer science are other fundamental areas of interest. Practical experience of manufacturing or lab-scale processing is a plus. Beneficial skills/experience would include project management, process modelling, thermodynamic modelling, statistical data analysis, powder formulation, characterization, and binder system design.
This position works under the supervision of the Manager to develop new materials, processes and technology in the area of hard metal powder design, synthesis and application. The successful candidate must demonstrate effective verbal/written communications skills, excellent troubleshooting skills and an ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment. Time management and prioritization skills are critical. Applicants should possess a desire to join an extended team of research and manufacturing colleagues in a fast-paced environment.
Job Description - Tasks
  • Establish subject matter expertise for materials, processes and technologies for enterprise-wide support.
  • Support product development, process development, intellectual property, quality, manufacturing and EHS through the development of hardmetal powder processes for a wide variety of product platforms.
  • Direct a technical Competency Team in the standardization and deployment of cost-effective processes.
  • Initiate, plan and implement technology, manufacturing and capital projects.
  • Lead, implement and sustain local/global system improvements, including measurement system analyses to improve consistency and correlation of processes.
  • From time to time, may be required to provide remote and on-site technical assistance to manufacturing.
  • Establish a technical presence in the hardmetal community through industry association involvement and publications in relevant trade journals and conferences.
  • Lead teams to resolution in the systematic use of data-driven analysis, decision making and validation.
  • Author and maintain internal procedures and work instructions.
  • Assist in vendor and material qualification, prepare functional specifications.
  • Research, evaluate and develop new technologies, analytical techniques and processing methods.
  • Travel up to 25%, depending on project activity.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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