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Materials Science Engineering Jobs in California

SprintRay

R&D Engineer, Materials

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent practical experience). * 3+ years of experience developing ...

Eurofins Scientific

Materials Analyst, TEM

Milpitas, CA

$30.25 - $37.25/hr

If you're energized by materials science, analytical chemistry, engineering rigor, and solving ... Our scientists and engineers support industries ranging from semiconductors and advanced ...

Apple

Materials Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$150K - $225K/yr

Preferred Qualifications PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Organic Chemistry or 10+ years in plastics industry High attention to detail, fastidious management of ...

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 ...

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How much do materials science engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for materials science engineering in California is $26.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $32.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is materials science engineering?

Materials science engineering is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on understanding, designing, and developing materials with specific properties and functions. Engineers in this field study the structure, properties, processing, and performance of materials such as metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. Their work is crucial in industries like aerospace, automotive, electronics, and biomedical devices, where material selection and innovation can impact product performance and sustainability.

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 solid background in chemistry, physics, and engineering principles, often supported by at least a bachelor's degree in materials science or a related field. Familiarity with materials characterization tools (such as SEM, XRD), CAD software, and laboratory information management systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication distinguish top performers in this field. These competencies are crucial for developing innovative materials, ensuring product quality, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to meet industry needs.

What are some common challenges materials science engineers face when working on product development teams?

Materials Science Engineers often encounter challenges related to balancing material performance with cost, manufacturability, and sustainability requirements. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams means effectively communicating complex material properties to non-specialists and integrating feedback from design, manufacturing, and quality assurance departments. Staying current with rapidly evolving material technologies and regulations can also be demanding, but it offers opportunities for innovation and career growth.

What are the job opportunities for materials science engineering?

Materials Science Engineering offers job opportunities in industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, energy, and manufacturing. Professionals in this field can work as research scientists, materials engineers, quality control specialists, or product development engineers, often requiring knowledge of materials testing, characterization tools, and relevant certifications. Employment can be found in both private companies and government laboratories, with roles involving research, development, and process improvement.

What is the difference between Materials Science Engineering vs Materials Engineering?

AspectMaterials Science EngineeringMaterials Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science or EngineeringBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science or Materials Engineering
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing, R&D departmentsManufacturing plants, quality control, product development
Industry UsageResearch institutions, aerospace, automotive, electronicsManufacturing, production, quality assurance
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Materials Science Engineering and Materials Engineering are closely related fields. Both require similar educational backgrounds and are used across industries like aerospace, automotive, and electronics. However, Materials Science Engineering tends to focus more on the fundamental properties and research of materials, while Materials Engineering emphasizes practical application, manufacturing processes, and product development.

What do you do as a materials science engineer?

A materials science engineer researches, develops, and tests materials such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites to improve their properties and performance. They often work in laboratories or manufacturing environments, using tools like microscopy and spectroscopy, and may require knowledge of engineering principles, materials characterization, and safety protocols.
What are the most commonly searched types of Materials Science Engineering jobs in California? The most popular types of Materials Science Engineering jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Materials Science Engineering jobs? Cities in California with the most Materials Science Engineering job openings:
Materials Science Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Science Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,840 per year, or $26.4 per hour.

Research Scientist, Materials Characterization

Periodic Labs

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

$225K - $325K/yr

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

About Periodic Labs
We're an AI and physical sciences company building state-of-the-art models to accelerate breakthroughs across materials, energy, and beyond. Backed by world-class investors and growing rapidly, we operate at the pace the frontier requires. Our team brings deep expertise, genuine ownership, and an insatiable drive to push the boundaries of what's scientifically possible.
About the Role
Join a world-class team of scientists and engineers pushing the boundaries of materials research in a groundbreaking lab where AI and automation unlock discoveries at unprecedented speed and scale. As a Research Scientist within the Periodic Labs experimental effort, you bring AI predictions into reality through physics and measurement science. In this role, you will both develop new material characterization approaches and be part of the team developing autonomous discovery loops.
This is a senior, hands-on role. You will own the design and execution of high-fidelity property measurements, drive the development of high-throughput characterization schemes, and collaborate closely with AI, automation, and materials science teams to build feedback loops that accelerate discovery. You will set the standard for measurement quality and data integrity across the lab.
What You'll Do
  • Develop and perform high-fidelity thermodynamic, transport, and spectroscopic measurements of materials, including electronic, magnetic, and thermal properties
  • Design and implement rapid property measurement schemes to scale up the material characterization process and feed AI-guided discovery pipelines
  • In collaboration with the AI team, implement automated data analysis and reasoning pipelines for screened materials; contribute to feedback loop design between measurement and prediction
  • In collaboration with the engineering team, develop autonomous systems for property characterization leveraging robotics and programmable instrumentation
  • Evaluate, procure, and commission new instrumentation; develop custom measurement setups where commercial solutions are insufficient
  • Define and enforce data standards, metadata schemas, and documentation practices to ensure measurement outputs are reproducible and reusable
  • Uphold and contribute to lab safety standards, particularly around cryogenic systems, high-field magnets, and hazardous materials

You Will Thrive in This Role If You Have
  • PhD in Physics, Materials Science, or related field, with 5+ years of hands-on experience in physical property characterization
  • Deep, demonstrated expertise in electronic and magnetic property measurements, including resistivity, Hall effect, magnetometry, and heat capacity
  • Strong background in cryogenic measurements and low-noise techniques, including lock-in methods, shielding/grounding, and precision instrumentation
  • Strong track record of highly impactful research demonstrated by publications in top-tier journals and/or inventions, and recognized leadership in the field
  • Proficiency with data analysis (e.g., Python/Jupyter, familiarity with instrument SDKs a plus) and disciplined data management practices
  • Excellent scientific writing, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and strong ownership of experiment quality
  • Ability to communicate measurement requirements and findings clearly to AI, engineering, and materials science collaborators

Especially Strong Candidates May Also Have
  • Experience with automation of physical property measurement platforms (e.g., PPMS, MPMS, custom rigs)
  • Experience with the computational prediction and experimental characterization design loop
  • Experience with spectroscopic characterization techniques such as ARPES, neutron scattering, or optical spectroscopy
  • Experience with lab buildout, instrument commissioning, and process safety
  • Experience handling and managing data at scale, including LIMS or similar data infrastructure
  • Previous work at national laboratories or large-scale user facilities

Mechanics
Minimum education: Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and training or experience
Employment type: Full-time, 12-month term
Location: Our lab is located in Menlo Park and we prefer folks to be located in Menlo Park or San Francisco but can be flexible based on role
Compensation: The annual base compensation range for this role is $225,000-325,000, commensurate with experience
Visa sponsorship: Yes, we sponsor visas and will do everything we can to assist in this process with our legal support.
We're building a team of the world's best - the scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers who don't just follow the frontier, they define it. If you're driven to bring AI to life in the physical world and make discoveries that have never been made before, you belong here.

Apply