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Materials Science Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

ZF Group

Materials Engineer

Northville, MI · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, or Metallurgical Engineering. * Hands-on laboratory testing experience. * Knowledge of quality systems, familiarity with lab ...

ZF

Materials Engineer

Northville, MI · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, or Metallurgical Engineering. * Hands-on laboratory testing experience. * Knowledge of quality systems, familiarity with lab ...

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Materials Science Engineer information

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$35.3K

$80.7K

$103.3K

How much do materials science engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for materials science engineer in Michigan is $80,744.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,200.00 and $89,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What kind of jobs do material science engineers do?

Materials science engineers research, develop, and test new 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 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 engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced materials science engineers working in senior roles, research leadership, or specialized industries such as aerospace, semiconductor, or energy can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires advanced degrees, extensive expertise, and leadership responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Materials Science Engineer position, and why are they important?

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.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior materials science engineers with extensive experience, advanced degrees, and expertise in specialized areas such as nanotechnology or aerospace can earn $200,000 or more annually. High salaries are often associated with leadership roles, working in high-demand industries, or in companies with competitive compensation packages.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior materials science engineers with extensive experience, advanced degrees, and specialized skills in areas like nanotechnology or aerospace can earn $300,000 or more annually. High-level roles often require leadership responsibilities, industry certifications, and work in high-paying sectors such as aerospace, defense, or semiconductor manufacturing.
What are the most commonly searched types of Materials Science Engineer jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Materials Science Engineer jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Materials Science Engineer jobs in Michigan? For Materials Science Engineer jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Materials Science Engineer jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Materials Science Engineer jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Materials Science Engineer jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Materials Science Engineer job openings:
Materials Science Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Science Engineer job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, and 27% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $80,744 per year, or $38.8 per hour.
Materials Science Engineering Technical Specialist

Materials Science Engineering Technical Specialist

Cummins

Troy, MI • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Cummins rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 259 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

133rd of 527 rated manufacturers

Job description


We are looking for a talented Materials Science Engineering Technical Specialist to join our Engineering team of Cummins Drivetrain and Braking Systems (CDBS) in Troy, MI.
In this role, you will make an impact in the following ways:
  • Drive Data-Based Decisions: Apply advanced statistical methods-descriptive analytics, probability modeling, regression, DOE, and hypothesis testing-to deliver rigorous, evidence-driven recommendations that improve product and process outcomes.
  • Strengthen Failure Prevention: Conduct thorough component failure analyses to identify true root causes, evaluate design and manufacturing intent, and recommend corrective actions that protect customers and prevent recurrence.
  • Optimize Material & Process Selection: Evaluate component requirements and select the most appropriate materials and manufacturing routes, ensuring best-fit solutions that meet performance, cost, and reliability targets.
  • Enhance Material Robustness: Perform mechanical, chemical, microstructural, and physical property characterization to confirm compliance and correlate lab results with field performance, improving component durability and reliability.
  • Improve Technical Knowledge Transfer: Produce clear, accurate technical documentation that captures learnings, supports decision-making, and enables efficient knowledge sharing across engineering, operations, and cross-functional teams.
  • Elevate Cross-Functional Collaboration: Build strong internal and external networks to accelerate problem-solving, align stakeholders, and ensure seamless communication across engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams.
  • Accelerate Problem Resolution: Apply structured problem-solving methodologies to identify assignable and systemic root causes, implement robust corrective actions, and mentor others in effective analytical approaches.
  • Advance Organizational Effectiveness: Demonstrate strong decision quality, resourcefulness, and the ability to manage complexity-consistently driving results while valuing diverse perspectives and adapting to challenging circumstances.

Responsibilities
To be successful in this role you will need the following:
  • Deep Technical Expertise in Materials & Casting: A solid understanding of casting processes, material behavior, and material-processing interactions to accurately diagnose issues, validate design intent, and make sound material and process selections.
  • Strong Analytical & Laboratory Skills: Proficiency with sectioning, sample preparation, and material characterization equipment-along with the ability to interpret mechanical, chemical, microstructural, and physical property data-to support root-cause analysis and robust decision-making.
  • Supplier Collaboration & PPAP/Process Improvement Capability: The ability to work effectively with suppliers on PPAP requirements, process validation, and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring components meet specifications and quality standards.
  • Clear Technical Communication & Documentation: Strong report-writing skills to document investigations, communicate findings, justify decisions, and support cross-functional alignment with Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering.

Education, Licenses, Certifications:
College, university, or equivalent Bachelor's degree in Engineering or appropriate STEM field is required.
Post-graduate (Master's) degree relevant to this discipline area may be required for select roles.
This position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.
Experience:
Prior Senior or Lead Engineer equivalent work experience in a relevant discipline area is required with a demonstrated track record of technical problem solving and quality decision making. Knowledge of MS Office tools is preferred.
Qualifications
  • Casting experience is preferred.
  • Position involves working with suppliers for PPAP and process improvements.
  • Use of sectioning and sample preparation equipment.
  • Report writing is necessary.

About Us
Cummins is an equal opportunity employer. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity, or other status protected by law.

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About Cummins

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Cummins Inc., headquartered in Columbus, IN, US, is a global power leader that designs, manufactures, and distributes numerous power products and systems. With its genesis from as early as 1919, the company readily serves diverse industries such as transportation, industrial, generator drive, or marine applications, among others. At the heart of Cummins' operations, its key product lineup encompasses diesel & natural gas engines, generator sets, engine components, and filtration, emission solutions, and electrical power generation systems. Cummins deeply embodies core values of integrity, respect for diversity, teamwork, performance excellence, and social responsibility - all of which dynamically fuel their mission 'Making people's lives better by powering a more prosperous world'.

Industry

Transportation equipment manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Columbus, IN, US

Year founded

1919

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