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$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal materials engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal materials engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal materials engineer?

A Principal Materials Engineer is a senior-level professional responsible for developing, testing, and improving materials used in various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing. They lead research initiatives, analyze material properties, and ensure compliance with industry standards. Additionally, they collaborate with design and engineering teams to select the best materials for specific applications. Their work is crucial in enhancing product performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal materials engineer?

To thrive as a Principal Materials Engineer, you need deep expertise in materials science, engineering principles, and project management, typically backed by an advanced degree and substantial industry experience. Familiarity with materials characterization tools (like SEM, XRD), simulation software, and relevant certifications (such as Professional Engineer or Six Sigma) is often required. Leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and clear communication are standout soft skills in this role. These qualifications are crucial for leading complex projects, ensuring material performance, and driving innovation in highly technical environments.

What are the main challenges that principal materials engineers face in their day-to-day work?

Principal Materials Engineers often tackle complex technical problems that require balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability of materials for new or existing products. They must stay current with emerging technologies and industry standards while managing tight deadlines and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including design, manufacturing, and quality assurance. Effective communication is key, as they frequently bridge the gap between research and practical application. While challenging, these aspects make the role dynamic and provide opportunities to solve impactful, real-world engineering problems.

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Principal Materials Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Materials Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Senior Principal Materials Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Annapolis, MD • On-site

$135K - $203K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 360 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

87th of 536 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Join Northrop Grumman on our continued mission to push the boundaries of possible across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. Enjoy a culture where your voice is valued and start contributing to our team of passionate professionals providing real-life solutions to our world's biggest challenges. We take pride in creating purposeful work and allowing our employees to grow and achieve their goals every day by Defining Possible. With our competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, we have the right opportunities to fit your life and launch your career today.

The Naval & Oceanic Systems business unit headquartered in Annapolis, MD is seeking dependable individuals willing to work in a collaborative environment and that are interested in expanding their horizons.The Mechanical Engineering Department is seeking a Senior Principal Materials Engineer with a background in subsea corrosion mitigation.

Essential Functions:

Apply chemistry, physics and materialsscience principles to diagnose material problems and devise solutions, while implementing corrosionmitigation strategies for complex systems. He/she researches and evaluates materials and their processing methods to support engineering designs, collaborates with teammates to conduct thorough technical reviews of drawings, specifications and manufacturing plans, and delivers proactive, highquality customer service by continually sourcing and sharing relevant information. In addition, the role oversees test activities and testarticle fabrication, documents results, and liaises with senior customer personnel on critical technical issues, often coordinating efforts across organizational boundaries.

The candidate must be able to collaborate in a team environment, lead teams, prioritize and adjust tasks to accomplish the project result, prioritize multiple responsibilities and/or accomplishing them simultaneously, and comprehend and analyze complex problems and develop solutions. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.

Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Materials Engineer:

  • Bachelor's degree in STEM with 8 years of experience; OR a Master's Degree in STEM with 6 years of experience; OR a PhD in STEM with 4 years of experience.

  • Basic understanding of the processes that produce corrosion (uniform, galvanic, crevice, etc) and the strategies that mitigate it.

  • Practical understanding of additive manufacturing modalities and alloys.

  • Basic knowledge of metallurgical practices (e.g., weld, metallurgy, metallographic evaluation, heat treatments, fracture mechanics, corrosion control, and failure analysis).

  • Basic knowledge of coating types and coating application methods used to prolong life of marine systems.

  • Basic understanding of principles related to cathodic protection.

  • US Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Familiarity with Navy / DoD processes and workflow.

  • Detailed knowledge of coating types and coating application methods used to prolong life of marine systems.

  • Familiarity with the properties of and design considerations pertaining to non-metallic materials such as urethanes, adhesives, and composites.

  • Detailed knowledge of principles related to cathodic protection and ability to specify cathodes of subsea systems.

  • Active Top Secret/SCI clearance.

NGFeaturedJobs

Primary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939

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