ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Materials Science Engineer Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Medium

Optical Coatings Materials Scientist

Denver, CO · On-site

$140 - $170/hr

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 ...

New

Ursa Major

Senior Materials Engineer

Berthoud, CO · On-site

$108K - $135K/yr

Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering * Experience conducting failure analysis * Experience with hands on metallography work * Experience and working knowledge of laser powder bed ...

Ursa Major

Senior Materials Engineer

Greeley, CO

$108K - $135K/yr

Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering * Experience conducting failure analysis * Experience with hands on metallography work * Experience and working knowledge of laser powder bed ...

Canopy A&D

R&D Engineer

Littleton, CO · On-site

$80K - $140K/yr

Canopy's engineering centers around extreme environment materials needed to withstand heat ... This role sits at the intersection of materials science, mechanical design, and experimental test.

Ursa Major

Senior Materials Engineer

Berthoud, CO

$108K - $135K/yr

Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering * Experience conducting failure analysis * Experience with hands on metallography work * Experience and working knowledge of laser powder bed ...

Canopy A&D

R&D Engineer

Littleton, CO · On-site

$80K - $140K/yr

Canopy's engineering centers around extreme environment materials needed to withstand heat ... This role sits at the intersection of materials science, mechanical design, and experimental test.

CANOPY A&D

R&D Engineer

Littleton, CO · On-site

$80K - $140K/yr

Canopy's engineering centers around extreme environment materials needed to withstand heat ... This role sits at the intersection of materials science, mechanical design, and experimental test.

Canopy A&D

R&D Engineer

Littleton, CO

$80K - $140K/yr

Canopy's engineering centers around extreme environment materials needed to withstand heat ... This role sits at the intersection of materials science, mechanical design, and experimental test.

ARA

Staff Engineer / Scientist 1

Littleton, CO · On-site

S. or higher in optics, physics, engineering, materials science, or a related field. REQUIREMENTS * B.S. with 2+ years of experience or M.S. or equivalent * US Citizen * Currently hold or have the ...

Apple

Acoustic Transducer Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

Ability to travel internationally. BS in Mechanical Engineering, Audio/Acoustic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science or equivalent. Preferred Qualifications MS or PhD in Mechanical ...

Canopy A&D

R&D Engineer Intern

Littleton, CO · On-site

$25/hr

This role sits at the intersection of materials science, mechanical design, and experimental test ... If you are motivated to apply your engineering knowledge beyond the classroom and enjoy working ...

Canopy A&D

R&D Engineer Intern

Littleton, CO · On-site

$25/hr

This role sits at the intersection of materials science, mechanical design, and experimental test ... If you are motivated to apply your engineering knowledge beyond the classroom and enjoy working ...

CANOPY A&D

R&D Engineer Intern

Littleton, CO · On-site

$25/hr

Canopy Technologies R&D Engineering Intern Canopy Technologies is seeking exceptional engineering ... This role sits at the intersection of materials science, mechanical design, and experimental test.

CANOPY A&D

R&D Engineer Intern

Littleton, CO

$25/hr

This role sits at the intersection of materials science, mechanical design, and experimental test ... If you are motivated to apply your engineering knowledge beyond the classroom and enjoy working ...

Canopy A&D

R&D Engineer Intern

Littleton, CO · On-site

$25/hr

This role sits at the intersection of materials science, mechanical design, and experimental test ... If you are motivated to apply your engineering knowledge beyond the classroom and enjoy working ...

Broadcom

Defect Engineer

Fort Collins, CO · On-site

$101K - $133K/yr

Education: BS in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or a related engineering field. * Experience: 8+ years of experience in high-volume wafer fabrication, specifically ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsMaterials Science Engineer JobsMaterials Science Engineer Jobs in Colorado

Materials Science Engineer information

See Colorado salary details

$42.6K

$97.4K

$124.6K

How much do materials science engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for materials science engineer in Colorado is $97,412.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,300.00 and $107,800.00 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.

Is materials science engineering a good career?

Materials science engineering is a growing field that involves developing and testing new materials for various industries such as aerospace, electronics, and healthcare. It typically requires strong knowledge of chemistry, physics, and engineering principles, and offers opportunities in research, development, and manufacturing with competitive salaries. The career can be rewarding for those interested in innovation and problem-solving in material properties and applications.

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 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 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.

What are popular job titles related to Materials Science Engineer jobs in Colorado? For Materials Science Engineer jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Materials Science Engineer jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Materials Science Engineer jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Materials Science Engineer jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Materials Science Engineer job openings:
Materials Science Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Science Engineer job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $97,412 per year, or $46.8 per hour.

Optical Coatings Materials Scientist

Xcimer Energy

Denver, CO • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 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.
$140,000 - $170,000 a year
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.
apply for this job

Apply