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Materials Science Jobs in Merced, CA (NOW HIRING)

... scientists and contribute to real product development. What You Might Work On * Participating in general laboratory operations including reagent preparation, material inventory, and equipment ...

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Materials Science information

See Merced, CA salary details

$56K

$130.9K

$182.7K

How much do materials science jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for materials science in Merced, CA is $130,919.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,700.00 and $176,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a materials science?

A Materials Science job involves studying and developing materials to improve existing products or create new ones. Professionals in this field work with metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites to enhance properties like strength, durability, and conductivity. They collaborate with engineers and manufacturers in industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and healthcare. Common roles include materials engineer, metallurgist, and research scientist.

Are materials scientists in demand?

Materials scientists are in demand in industries such as aerospace, electronics, and energy, where advanced materials are essential. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as research and development continue to expand, and skills in characterization techniques and computer modeling are increasingly valuable.

What typical career paths are available for professionals in materials science?

Materials Science professionals can pursue a variety of career paths including roles in research and development, quality assurance, product design, manufacturing, and technical consulting. Many start as lab technicians or junior engineers and can advance to senior scientist, project manager, or even into leadership roles such as director of materials engineering. Career progression often depends on accumulating hands-on experience, pursuing advanced degrees, and developing expertise with specialized materials or industry applications. Employers value individuals who continually update their skills and contribute to cross-functional projects. The field offers diverse opportunities in industries such as aerospace, automotive, biomedical devices, electronics, and energy.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in materials science?

To thrive in Materials Science, you need strong analytical skills in chemistry and physics, a degree in materials science or a related engineering field, and hands-on laboratory experience. Familiarity with technical tools such as electron microscopes, spectrometers, and materials characterization software, as well as certifications like Six Sigma or ASQ, are commonly required. Problem-solving abilities, effective teamwork, and clear communication skills are highly valued in this profession. These competencies are crucial for developing innovative materials, ensuring quality, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams in research and industrial settings.

Is a materials science degree worth it?

A materials science degree prepares individuals for careers in research, development, and manufacturing of materials, often requiring knowledge of chemistry, physics, and engineering principles. It can lead to roles in industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and energy, with job prospects improving as technology advances. The degree provides a solid foundation for technical problem-solving and innovation, which are valued in many engineering and research positions.

What jobs can I get with a materials science degree?

A materials science degree qualifies individuals for roles such as materials engineer, research scientist, quality control analyst, and product development engineer. These jobs often involve working with metals, polymers, ceramics, or composites, and may require knowledge of testing methods, CAD software, and industry standards.

What jobs can you do with materials science?

Materials science graduates can pursue careers as materials engineers, research scientists, quality control specialists, or product development engineers. These roles involve designing, testing, and improving materials such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites, often requiring knowledge of laboratory techniques and computer-aided design tools.
What are popular job titles related to Materials Science jobs in Merced, CA? For Materials Science jobs in Merced, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Merced, CA are hiring for Materials Science jobs? Cities near Merced, CA with the most Materials Science job openings:
Infographic showing various Materials Science job openings in Merced, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,919 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Materials Development Scientist PhD

Proctor & Gamble

Winton, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Procter & Gamble rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 164 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

67th of 538 rated manufacturers


Job description

Job Location

WHBC - WINTON HILL BUS CENTER

Job Description

Research and Development (R&D) at Procter & Gamble, the largest consumer packaged goods company in the world, includes a diverse group of roles that contribute to the innovation and development of our products. It encompasses roles in product research, formulation, testing, and scientific analysis. You will find variety and excitement starting Day 1.

The Opportunity:

If you are passionate about applied materials science, energized by solving real consumer problems, and driven to modernize how work gets done through digital innovation, this role is for you. We are seeking a highly motivated PhD in Materials Science & Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a related discipline to join the Feminine Care R&D organization at P&G in Cincinnati, OH. As a Material Development Scientist-PhD, you will utilize deep technical mastery to make meaningful, handson contributions to the business. You will work in a collaborative, supportive R&D environment where your work directly influences product performance, sustainability, supply resilience, and speed of innovation.

This R&D assignment offers a unique opportunity to work across disciplines internally and with external partners, building both technical depth and system level understanding early in your career. The role also provides the opportunity to innovate across a range of material technologies including but not limited to Adhesives, Nonwovens, and Films to name a few. The role is well suited for scientists who enjoy connecting fundamental understanding to practical applications, and who are motivated to improve not only what we develop, but how we develop it.

The Ideal Candidate Has:

  • A strong foundational understanding of materials science with the ability to apply fundamentals to solve realworld problems. Ability to understand product performance requirements, material feedstocks, and manufacturing processes, and translate this holistic understanding into innovative material solutions.
  • Excellent analytical and problemsolving skills, with the ability to leverage data to connect insights across disciplines, develop technically sound solutions, and influence technical direction on projects.
  • Passion for handson experimental work, with a demonstrated ability to design, execute, and interpret experiments; test technical hypotheses; and translate data into clear, actionable insights and models.
  • A selfleadership and ownership mindset, including the ability to independently understand complex technical problems, proactively drive problem solving, and collaborate with project teams on technology development.
  • Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across multifunctional teams within P&G and with external partners such as suppliers, universities, and technical service providers.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate technical concepts and results through written reports and verbal discussions.
  • Demonstrated curiosity and innovation mindset, including interest or experience in using digital, data, or automation tools to simplify workflows, improve decisionmaking, and accelerate materials innovation.
  • Learning agility and adaptability, with the ability to rapidly learn new technical areas, tools, and processes in a dynamic, evolving business environment.

This is a fastpaced, highly impactful role focused on developing new materials and material innovations to deliver superior, sustainable products through bestinclass execution and supply solutions.

In this role, you will:

  • Partner with Product Development teams to translate consumer needs and unmet problems into material innovations to deliver superior and differentiated product solutions.
  • Work closely with manufacturing plants to diagnose and resolve rawmaterial technical issues, enabling robust, reliable product performance.
  • Collaborate with external suppliers to develop, qualify, and sustain bestinclass rawmaterial supply chains for a global business.
  • Lead and support new rawmaterial qualifications, costoptimization initiatives, and Business Continuity Plans to strengthen resilience and competitiveness while meeting quality, safety, and compliance requirements.
  • Apply digital and datadriven approaches to simplify workflows, improve decisionmaking, and accelerate the pace of materials innovation.

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • Education Requirement: PhD in Materials Science & Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, or related field.
  • Strong analytical skills with experience in data science, data analytics, statistics.
  • Ability to travel approximately 10% of the time based on business need.
  • Ability to work on-site at Winton Hill Business Center 3-5 days per week.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
  • Proficiency in coding and applying modeling and simulation methods/tools (such as GeoDict, Abaqus) to solve technical problems.
  • Experience in developing and implementing AI solutions.

Just so you know:

Compensation for roles at P&G varies depending on a wide array of non-discriminatory factors including but not limited to the specific office location, role, degree/credentials, relevant skill set, and level of relevant experience. At P&G compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Total rewards at P&G include salary + bonus (if applicable) + benefits. Your recruiter may be able to share more about our total rewards offerings and the specific salary range for the relevant location(s) during the hiring process.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment. We value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Immigration Sponsorship is not available for this role. For more information regarding who is eligible for hire at P&G along with other work authorization FAQ's, please click HERE.

Procter & Gamble participates in E-Verify.

Qualified individuals will not be disadvantaged based on being unemployed.

P&G is dedicated to meeting the needs of applicants requesting an accommodation/adjustment due to a disability in order to complete the online application process. If you have a disability that affects your ability to complete our online application process, please visit our Disability Accommodation Page.

Job Schedule

Full time

Job Number

R000155533

Job Segmentation

Entry Level

Starting Pay / Salary Range

$140,000.00 - $140,000.00 / year

What Procter & Gamble employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Procter & Gamble logo

About Procter & Gamble

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Procter & Gamble (P&G), based in Cincinnati, OH, US, is a multinational consumer goods corporation. The company operates in the Consumer Discretionary sector and has a presence in various industries including Beauty, Health Care, Grooming, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. Since its foundation by William Procter and James Gamble in 1837, P&G has grown to become a leading player in the consumer goods market. The corporation prides itself on its core values of leadership, ownership, integrity, passion for winning, and trust. They aim to improve consumers' lives in small but significant ways, with a mission to provide branded goods and services of superior quality and value.

Industry

Health and personal care stores

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cincinnati, OH, US

Year founded

1837