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Surface Science Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Dynamis, Inc.

Data Scientist II

Vienna, VA

Backed by Dynamis's deep bench of financial intelligence and data science expertise, the Data ... Apply statistical analysis and correlate disparate data sources to surface relationships and ...

Dynamis, Inc.

Data Scientist II

Vienna, VA · On-site

Backed by Dynamis's deep bench of financial intelligence and data science expertise, the Data ... Apply statistical analysis and correlate disparate data sources to surface relationships and ...

Dynamis, Inc.

Data Scientist II

Vienna, VA

Backed by Dynamis's deep bench of financial intelligence and data science expertise, the Data ... Apply statistical analysis and correlate disparate data sources to surface relationships and ...

Elder Research

Data Scientist

Arlington, VA · Hybrid

Develop, deploy, and maintain production ML and NLP models that surface insights from large volumes ... Help strengthen the client's internal data-science capability through pairing, code review ...

Elder Research

Data Scientist

Arlington, VA · Hybrid

Develop, deploy, and maintain production ML and NLP models that surface insights from large volumes ... Help strengthen the client's internal data-science capability through pairing, code review ...

Elder Research

Data Scientist

Arlington, VA · On-site

Develop, deploy, and maintain production ML and NLP models that surface insights from large volumes ... Help strengthen the client's internal data-science capability through pairing, code review ...

Protagonist

Computational Social Scientist

Washington, DC

$70K - $102K/yr

... science work: apply sound methods, keep quality high, and keep analysis reproducible and defensible. * Build and apply classification models, clustering, and other ML/AI approaches to surface insight ...

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All JobsSurface Science JobsSurface Science Jobs in Washington

Surface Science information

See Washington salary details

$27.7K

$54.8K

$89.5K

How much do surface science jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for surface science in Washington is $54,807.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,600.00 and $58,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals in surface science, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in surface science often encounter challenges such as the need for precise sample preparation and the interpretation of complex data from surface analysis techniques. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, staying updated with advancements in instrumentation, and participating in regular training can help address these hurdles. Additionally, clear communication with colleagues in chemistry, physics, and engineering enhances problem-solving and accelerates research progress.

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

To thrive as a Surface Scientist, you need a solid background in chemistry, physics, or materials science, often supported by a PhD or relevant research experience. Expertise with analytical instruments such as AFM, XPS, SEM, and proficiency in data analysis software are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective collaboration set outstanding professionals apart. These competencies are crucial for accurately analyzing surface properties and driving innovation in materials development and industrial applications.

What is surface science?

Surface science is the study of physical and chemical phenomena that occur at the interface of two phases, such as solid–liquid, solid–gas, liquid–gas, or solid–vacuum interfaces. This field focuses on understanding how surfaces interact with their surroundings, including adsorption, catalysis, corrosion, and surface modification. Surface science is crucial in industries like semiconductors, materials science, nanotechnology, and catalysis, where controlling surface properties can dramatically affect performance and functionality.

What is the difference between Surface Science vs Surface Chemist?

AspectSurface ScienceSurface Chemist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research facilities, industrial settingsLaboratories, research and development departments, industrial labs
Industry UsageResearch, materials development, nanotechnologyProduct development, coatings, surface treatments
Common Search/ComparisonSurface Science vs Surface Chemist

Surface Science focuses on understanding the physical and chemical properties of surfaces at a fundamental level, often involving physics and materials analysis. Surface Chemists primarily work on chemical processes and reactions occurring on surfaces, developing coatings or surface treatments. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work environments, but their focus areas differ—one emphasizes fundamental surface properties, the other applied chemical processes.

What are popular job titles related to Surface Science jobs in Washington? For Surface Science jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Surface Science jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Surface Science jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Surface Science jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Surface Science job openings:
Surface Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Surface Science job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,807 per year, or $26.3 per hour.

Field Service Engineer - Electron Microscopy - Washington DC Metro

Iris Scientific Inc.

Washington, DC • On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Field Service Engineer - Electron Microscopy - Washington DC Metro
Location: Washington DC Metro area - office-based between trips; territory covers the eastern US with occasional broader US/Canada travel; ~50% travel including occasional weekend travel
Compensation: $90-110k base salary, commensurate with experience
Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, 401K
Contact: Andrew Millar; andrew.millar@irisscientific.com; 647-205-7151
Iris Scientific is a specialty recruitment agency laser focused on the North American Scientific Instrumentation Industry.
We're partnering with an established U.S. provider of electron microscopy, surface science, and nanotechnology instrumentation to hire two Field Service Engineers in the Washington DC metro area. You'll support a growing installed base of benchtop Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) systems across the eastern US - and this is just the starting point. Additional product lines will be added to your portfolio quickly, spanning technologies across physics, electronics, and mechanical systems.
This is a genuine development role inside a full-service instrumentation company. Unlike remote field positions, you'll work from an established office alongside a lead engineer, with structured factory training and a depot repair operation on site. Training includes an intensive program at the company's US headquarters, ongoing mentorship from senior engineers, and technical training trips to international vendor locations in Europe (Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, and others).
The day-to-day centers on preventive maintenance and on-site support: electron source replacements, pump rebuilds and maintenance, mechanical alignments, detector and software upgrades, and system troubleshooting - plus depot repair work between travel weeks. Customers include universities, government labs, technology startups, and multinational corporations doing some of the most interesting research in the country.
We're hiring two profiles, so this role fits a range of backgrounds:
  • An experienced FSE: you have a few years of field service under your belt on complex scientific, analytical, or high-tech instrumentation, and you know the rhythm of the job - scheduling, customer communication, service reports, working independently on the road.
  • A hands-on builder earlier in their path: perhaps you're coming out of a lab, core facility, or technical role where you built, maintained, repaired, and modified advanced instrumentation - the person who did the teardowns, coordinated with vendor service engineers, and kept the equipment running. We'll train the field service side.

In both cases, what matters most is demonstrable mechanical aptitude and a genuine troubleshooting mind. This company doesn't hand you a step-by-step manual for every fault - you'll follow structured procedures where they exist and reason from first principles where they don't.
You'll thrive here if you enjoy:
  • Taking complex systems apart, diagnosing mechanical or electrical issues, and putting them back together correctly
  • Troubleshooting independently when documentation is incomplete
  • Direct interaction with scientists and engineers at customer sites - this is a customer-facing, relationship-building role
  • Building deep technical expertise across multiple instrument platforms, not just one product line
  • Being part of a small, capable service team where your contribution is visible

What you bring:
  • 1-5 years of field service experience with scientific, analytical, or high-tech instrumentation; OR
  • A high-end instrumentation background from a research setting - system building, repair, and troubleshooting, typically from a graduate school laboratory or core facility environment
  • Demonstrated hands-on troubleshooting and repair of electromechanical systems: mechanical assemblies, motors, motion components, sensors, basic electronics
  • Exposure to board-level electronics work (PCB replacement, fault isolation) is a plus; high voltage and vacuum experience is a bonus, not a requirement
  • Proven ability to diagnose root cause and determine next steps without scripted procedures
  • Strong communication skills and a professional presence with customers
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or a science discipline preferred; equivalent hands-on experience with electronic/mechanical systems considered
  • Willingness and ability to travel ~50% across the eastern US, with occasional weekend travel and periodic international training trips
  • Ability to safely lift up to 50 lbs and work at customer sites
  • US citizenship, with no current or future need for visa sponsorship (required for government laboratory site access)
  • SEM experience is a plus, not a requirement - full training is provided

If this sounds like you, let's talk.

Apply