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Polymer Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Peraton

Hull Treatment Materials Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

What you will do: * Perform hands-on engineering in support of the US Navy's submarine force ... Experience with polymer processing is a bonus * Experience or coursework in acoustics also a bonus

Peraton

Hull Treatment Materials Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

What you will do: * Perform hands-on engineering in support of the US Navy's submarine force ... Experience with polymer processing is a bonus * Experience or coursework in acoustics also a bonus

Structural

Senior Structural Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$99K - $135K/yr

... Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite or Post tension is a plus. * Strong writing and ... Ability to perform preliminary and detailed engineering calculations, coordinate with drafters and ...

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

Senior Chemist

Laurel, MD · On-site

$105 - $290/hr

D. in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline. * You have 3+ years of post‑doctoral, industrial, or government research experience. * You have ...

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Polymer Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$57K

$100.8K

$174.9K

How much do polymer engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymer engineer in Washington, DC is $100,795.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $129,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a polymer engineer do?

A Polymer Engineer specializes in the design, development, and testing of polymer materials, which include plastics, rubbers, and composites. They work on improving the properties of these materials to meet specific performance requirements for various industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, and consumer goods. Their responsibilities often include research, product development, quality control, and troubleshooting manufacturing processes. Polymer Engineers also collaborate with chemists, material scientists, and engineers from other disciplines to create innovative products and solutions.

What are some typical challenges polymer engineers face when working on new material development projects?

Polymer Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing material properties to meet specific application requirements, ensuring compatibility with manufacturing processes, and addressing cost constraints. Collaborating with cross-functional teams—including chemists, product designers, and manufacturing specialists—is essential to troubleshoot issues and innovate solutions. Additionally, staying current with industry regulations and sustainability trends can add complexity, but also opens opportunities for creative problem-solving and professional growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a polymer engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Polymer Engineer, you need a solid background in polymer science, materials engineering, and chemistry, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Proficiency in simulation software (such as MATLAB or ANSYS), laboratory instrumentation, and familiarity with industry standards and testing protocols is crucial. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication abilities set candidates apart in this field. These skills are essential to innovating, ensuring product quality, and successfully collaborating on multidisciplinary projects in the development of new polymer materials and applications.

What does a polymer engineer do?

A polymer engineer primarily works in plastics development. In this career, you develop and test plastics or related materials. Your responsibilities include the fabrication of new polymers, working with the prototype, and designing new equipment to process these materials. You also provide support for all plastic injection molding techniques and monitor customer issues, working to resolve them quickly. You analyze and evaluate the success of each new plastic or polymer. You also research and analyze ongoing developments in the plastics field and select polymers for new applications and testing. Other duties include maintaining product improvement policies and promoting efficient lab operations.

What is the difference between Polymer Engineer vs Materials Scientist?

AspectPolymer EngineerMaterials Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or Materials ScienceBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D departmentsResearch labs, academia, industry R&D
Industry UsagePlastic, rubber, polymer product manufacturingBroad industry applications including metals, ceramics, polymers

Polymer Engineers focus specifically on the development and manufacturing of polymer materials, while Materials Scientists have a broader scope, studying various materials including metals, ceramics, and polymers. Both roles often collaborate and share similar educational backgrounds, but Polymer Engineers are more specialized in polymer applications and production processes.

More about Polymer Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Polymer Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Polymer Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Polymer Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Polymer Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Polymer Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Polymer Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Polymer Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Polymer Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 11% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $100,795 per year, or $48.5 per hour.

NIST PREP Postdoc Associate in Fiber, Composites, and Polymer Sciences

Southeastern Universities Research Association

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$85K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.
Research Title: Fiber, composites, and polymer scientist
The work will entail: The Materials Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking qualified candidates (U.S. Citizens Preferred) for a fiber, composites, and polymer scientist position to lead metrology development in thermomechanical/thermal analysis, chemical analysis, electron microscopy, and structure-property relationships for complex high strength fibers as well as polymeric and composite materials. This role requires hands-on ownership of advanced instrumentation, development of robust and reproducible test methods, and translation of results into actionable guidance for materials design, performance evaluation, and reliability.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
  • Design and execute thermomechanical characterization of polymeric/composite systems
  • Develop techniques to fabricate model fiber/composite systems with novel properties
  • Lead thermal, thermomechanical, and chemical/structural characterization of materials
  • Author peer-reviewed publications and present research to stakeholders
  • Support collaborative programs and deliver stakeholder technical solutions

Qualifications
  • Ph.D. in materials science, polymer science, fiber science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline
  • Expertise in molecular spectroscopy, with experience analyzing single fibers
  • Hands-on experience with thermal analysis (DSC, DMA/TGA/TMA)
  • Experience working with complex materials (high-strength fibers, composite armor, or structural composites)
  • Background in polymer viscoelasticity and physics
  • Strong quantitative/data skills (Matlab/Python/Origin)
  • Demonstrated record of technical writing and public speaking
  • Ability to lead projects, mentor students/postdocs, and coordinate collaborations

Desirable Qualifications:
  • Experience in long-term reliability studies

Privacy Act StatementAuthority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)
Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.
PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.
Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.
SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.
PREP0004204

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