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Polymer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Smoore Labs

Research Scientist

Manassas, VA · On-site

Design and execute natural polymer extrusion processes to improve material properties, including shape stability and mechanical strength. Perform instrumental analysis (GC-MS, HPLC, LC-MS) to study ...

Guidehouse

Electron Microscope Scientist

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$74K - $124K/yr

Job Family: Scientist Travel Required: None Clearance Required: Ability to Obtain Public Trust What You Will Do: We are looking for an Electron Microscope Scientist to support the Vaccine Research ...

Peraton

Hull Treatment Materials Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Experience with polymer processing is a bonus * Experience or coursework in acoustics also a bonus * Demonstrated leadership traits through task supervision or social / athletic group membership ...

Peraton

Hull Treatment Materials Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Experience with polymer processing is a bonus * Experience or coursework in acoustics also a bonus * Demonstrated leadership traits through task supervision or social / athletic group membership ...

Guidehouse

Electron Microscope Scientist

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$74K - $124K/yr

Job Family: Scientist Travel Required: None Clearance Required: Ability to Obtain Public Trust What You Will Do: We are looking for an Electron Microscope Scientist to support the Vaccine Research ...

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Polymer information

See Washington salary details

$57.2K

$101.2K

$175.6K

How much do polymer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymer in Washington is $101,174.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,300.00 and $130,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Polymer Scientist or Engineer, a strong background in chemistry, materials science, or chemical engineering is essential, often supported by a relevant degree or advanced certification. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, polymer synthesis techniques, and analytical tools such as FTIR, DSC, or GPC is typically required. Excellent problem-solving skills, creativity, and strong collaboration abilities help individuals excel in both research and industrial settings. Mastering these skills and qualifications ensures innovation, safe material design, and successful project outcomes in the competitive field of polymer science.

What are the typical career advancement paths for professionals in polymer science or engineering roles?

Polymer professionals often start in research, product development, or quality control positions and can advance to senior scientist, project manager, or technical leader roles as they gain experience. With additional education or specialized training, opportunities in management, consulting, or regulatory affairs are also common. Many companies support professional development through conferences, certifications, and advanced degrees, facilitating growth into leadership positions. Joining multidisciplinary teams or working on high-impact projects can further accelerate career progression, making this field dynamic and full of opportunities for advancement.

What is a polymer?

A Polymer job typically involves working with synthetic or natural polymers in research, development, production, or quality control. Professionals in this field may be chemists, engineers, or technicians who design, test, and optimize polymer materials for various applications, such as plastics, coatings, adhesives, and composites. Their work is essential in industries like automotive, healthcare, packaging, and electronics. Responsibilities may include formulating new materials, improving existing products, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

What are the most commonly searched types of Polymer jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Polymer jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Polymer jobs in Washington? For Polymer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Polymer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Polymer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Polymer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Polymer job openings:
Polymer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Polymer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 56% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 11% Contract, and 11% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $101,174 per year, or $48.6 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 19 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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