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Materials Science Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Amat

Materials Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$147K - $202K/yr

If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world. What We Offer Salary: $147 ...

nudge

Materials Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Strong fundamentals in materials science with respect to piezoelectrics * A degree in Material, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or similar engineering discipline * A history of exceptional ...

SpaceX

Materials Engineer, Polymer Development

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$115K - $160K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science and Engineering * 2+ years of professional experience in polymeric material formulation, chemical synthesis ...

Posted today

Arcturus

Senior Scientist / Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

You would join as a founding engineer/scientist and work closely with Arcturus' technical leads ... materials science into real product performance. Purpose We are seeking Senior Scientists ...

Mariana Minerals

Materials Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including R&D scientists, operations, and external vendors ... MS degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Materials Engineering, or Chemical Engineering (PhD ...

Motive Companies

Materials Engineer

Santa Clarita, CA

$38 - $55/hr

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related scientific or engineering discipline. * Minimum of 2-3 years of Materials Engineering ...

Apple

Color Resin Engineer - Materials PD

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Minimum Qualifications BS or MS in Chemical Engineering / Materials Science / Mechanical Engineering 5 years of industry experience Technical knowledge of pigments, dyes, and resins Familiarity with ...

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All JobsMaterials Science Engineer JobsMaterials Science Engineer Jobs in California

Materials Science Engineer information

See California salary details

$40K

$91.4K

$116.9K

How much do materials science engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for materials science engineer in California is $91,426.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,900.00 and $101,200.00 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Materials Science Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Materials Science Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Materials Science Engineer jobs in California?

For Materials Science Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Materials Science Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Materials Science Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Materials Science Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Materials Science Engineer job openings:

Materials Science Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Science Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,426 per year, or $44 per hour.

Staff Materials Scientist - Thin Film Coatings

Vital Chemicals

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Staff Materials Scientist - Thin Film Coatings


Company Overview

Vital Materials is a global technology organization with operations in over 20 countries, providing advanced materials, products, and solutions across markets including semiconductors, optics, consumer electronics, aerospace, automotive, and energy-related applications. The company is committed to enabling next-generation technologies through materials science, thinfilm innovation, and scalable manufacturing solutions.


Job Summary

The Staff Materials Scientist - Thin Film Coatings is a staff technical role responsible for the development, optimization, and characterization of advanced thinfilm coatings for functional applications, including optical, scratchresistant, magnetic, and semiconductor coatings. This position requires deep handson experience with thinfilm deposition processes and materials characterization, as well as the ability to develop coating solutions from concept through pilot and manufacturing scale.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and development of advanced thinfilm coating solutions for optical, mechanical, magnetic, and electronic applications.
  • Develop and optimize thinfilm materials and multilayer stacks.
  • Perform handson thinfilm deposition using PVD, PECVD, and related vacuumbased methods.
  • Design and execute thinfilm characterization and correlate structure with performance.
  • Collaborate with equipment, process, and product teams. Provide inputs on equipment designs and process development. Coaching junior engineers.
  • Troubleshoot coating issues such as adhesion, stress, and defectivity.
  • Document coating architectures and process windows.


Qualifications

  • Master degree or above in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • Extensive handson experience with thinfilm deposition and coating development.
  • Deep understanding of optical, scratchresistant, magnetic, or semiconductor coatings.
  • Strong experience with thinfilm characterization techniques.
  • Ability to develop coating solutions meeting functional and reliability requirements.
  • Excellent analytical and crossfunctional collaboration skills.

Apply