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Sustainable Materials Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lead Materials Engineer

Lawrence, MA

$117K - $152K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... sustainable materials and processes plus deliver technical solutions for material palettes and ... MS or equivalent experience in Textile Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical ...

Lead Materials Engineer

Lawrence, MA · On-site

$117K - $152K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... sustainable materials and processes plus deliver technical solutions for material palettes and ... MS or equivalent experience in Textile Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical ...

This role drives innovation in light-weighting, corrosion resistance, and sustainability for both traditional and electric vehicle (EV) chassis and bodies. The Materials Engineer will serve as the ...

This role drives innovation in light-weighting, corrosion resistance, and sustainability for both traditional and electric vehicle (EV) chassis and bodies. The Materials Engineer will serve as the ...

Materials Engineer

Macon, GA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role drives innovation in light-weighting, corrosion resistance, and sustainability for both traditional and electric vehicle (EV) chassis and bodies. The Materials Engineer will serve as the ...

Materials Engineer

Bethesda, MD · Hybrid

$85K/yr

  • Retirement

Support programmatic efforts including in-service sustainment and new construction reviews ... Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, Welding Engineering, or ...

Materials Engineer job opening with a global leader in packaging development and sustainable business practices. This position resides at the plant level. The individual will have the responsibility ...

Materials Engineer

Macon, GA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role drives innovation in light-weighting, corrosion resistance, and sustainability for both traditional and electric vehicle (EV) chassis and bodies. The Materials Engineer will serve as the ...

Materials Engineer job opening with a global leader in packaging development and sustainable business practices. This position resides at the plant level. The individual will have the responsibility ...

Materials Engineer

Orlando, FL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

A Snapshot of Your Day (position overview) As a Materials Engineer in our innovation organization, your day will center on hands-on materials research that helps advance reliable, sustainable energy ...

New

Materials Engineer

Bethesda, MD · Hybrid

$85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Support programmatic efforts including in-service sustainment and new construction reviews ... Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, Welding Engineering, or ...

Materials Engineer job opening with a global leader in packaging development and sustainable business practices. This position resides at the plant level. The individual will have the responsibility ...

Materials Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Support programmatic efforts including in-service sustainment and new construction reviews ... Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, Welding Engineering, or ...

Materials Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Support programmatic efforts including in-service sustainment and new construction reviews ... Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, Welding Engineering, or ...

Materials Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

  • Retirement

... to provide sustainable, affordable fusion power to the world. Established in 2019 and venture ... As a materials engineer, you will play a vital role in supporting Type One Energy's materials ...

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Showing results 1-20

Sustainable Materials Engineer information

See salary details

$38K

$100.7K

$158K

How much do sustainable materials engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for sustainable materials engineer in the United States is $100,738.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Sustainable Materials Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, environmental engineering, and sustainability principles, typically with a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with life cycle assessment (LCA) software, CAD tools, and certifications like LEED or ISO 14001 is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and effective communication help you collaborate with cross-functional teams and innovate eco-friendly solutions. These skills ensure the development of sustainable materials and processes that meet both technical and environmental standards.

How does a sustainable materials engineer typically collaborate with product development teams?

Sustainable Materials Engineers work closely with product designers, manufacturing engineers, and procurement teams to ensure that materials selected for new products meet both performance and sustainability standards. They often participate in cross-functional meetings to review design concepts, offer guidance on eco-friendly alternatives, and help assess the life cycle impacts of material choices. This collaborative approach ensures that sustainability considerations are integrated early and effectively into the product development process.

What is the difference between Sustainable Materials Engineer vs Materials Scientist?

AspectSustainable Materials EngineerMaterials Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics
Work EnvironmentDesigning eco-friendly materials, collaborating with product teams, testing sustainabilityResearching material properties, developing new materials, laboratory work
Industry UsageManufacturing, product development, environmental consultingResearch institutions, laboratories, academia

The Sustainable Materials Engineer focuses on developing and implementing eco-friendly materials for products and manufacturing processes, emphasizing sustainability and environmental impact. In contrast, the Materials Scientist primarily researches and develops new materials based on their properties, often in a laboratory setting. Both roles require a strong background in materials science but differ in their application focus and work environment.

What does a sustainable materials engineer do?

Sustainable Materials Engineers focus on developing, testing, and implementing materials and processes that have minimal environmental impact. They work to design products that use renewable, recycled, or eco-friendly materials, and ensure that manufacturing processes are efficient and sustainable. Their work often involves collaborating with other engineers and scientists to create solutions that reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote sustainability across various industries.
More about Sustainable Materials Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Sustainable Materials Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Sustainable Materials Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Sustainable Materials Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Sustainable Materials Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Sustainable Materials Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% Internship, and 75% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $100,738 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

Senior Materials Engineer - R&D Core Materials Engineering (Polymer)

Align Technology, Inc.

San Jose, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Align Technology rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Role summary 
 
Align Technology, Inc. is seeking a Senior Materials Engineer with strong expertise in polymer science, sustainability, material compatibility, dental composite and adhesive, and medical device packaging to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives. 
This role serves as a technical owner and subject-matter expert (SME) across polymer materials, dental materials, and packaging systems, you will be responsible for material verification, qualification, validation strategy, and riskbased decision making across multiple highimpact programs. 
You will collaborate closely with R&D, eCommerce, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Quality, Legal, and Supply Chain to ensure materials are robust, compliant, scalable, and ready to support global commercialization. 

Role expectation
  • Lead material selections, evaluation, and qualification across a range of polymerbased material systems used in Align products. 
  • Own material strategy and execution for new product introduction (NPI), regional launches, and sustaining activities. 
  • Independently manage multiple parallel material workstreams with high visibility and business impact. 
  • Lead dental materials assessments (e.g., composites, adhesives, polymers) to support product global launch and meet regional requirements.  
  • Define testing strategies and deliver clear data-driven technical recommendations to crossfunctional stakeholders. 
  • Support medical device packaging materials and systems as part of overall material ownership. 
  • Design, evaluate, and optimize medical and consumer packaging for performance, manufacturability, and sustainability in accordance with ISO 11607 and ASTM/ISTA standards. 
  • Design and perform standard and customized polymer characterization (thermal, mechanical, rheological, spectroscopic) and long-term reliability evaluations. 
  • Define and approve material specifications; author validation protocols and reports documentation per Design Control and QMS requirements. 
  • Lead collaboration with internal teams and external partners to evaluate, qualify, and scale sustainable materials and packaging solutions globally. 
  • Support chemical-compliance and biocompatibility evaluations to ensure regulatory readiness and provide data for product filings. 
  • Translate complex test results into clear technical reports, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations that guide product and business decisions. 
  • Mentor and coach engineers and technicians to strengthen experimental design, data integrity, and sustainability best practices across the materials function. 

What we're looking for 
Minimum Qualifications 
  • M.S., or Ph.D. degree in Polymer Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline. 
  • 8+ years of R&D experience involving polymers, packaging, or medical devices.   
  • Proven expertise in polymer characterization, structure-property analysis, and material compatibility evaluation.  
  • Demonstrated ability to translate material performance into product-level requirements and outcomes.  
  • Lead and execute hands-on laboratory testing and material characterization, including experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation.   
  • Practical experience in packaging materials design, development, and validation for medical or consumer products.  
  • Excellent technical communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.  
  • Proven analytical thinking and ability to translate data into practical engineering recommendations. 
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and influence cross-functional stakeholders.   
  • Demonstrated learning agility, ownership, and a proactive, results-driven mindset. 
  • Ability to take initiative, follow through, and approach challenges with curiosity and persistence in a fast-paced environment. 
  • Strong execution, integrity, and accountability. 
Complementary skills 
  • Experience evaluating material interactions for chemical and functional compatibility with medical devices and packaging systems. 
  • Knowledge of environmental, chemical, and packaging compliance standards, including REACH, RoHS, Prop 65, TSCA, ISO 10993, and ISO 11607. 
  • Familiarity with sustainable packaging materials, validation methods, and relevant ASTM and ISTA test standards (e.g., ASTM F88, F1980; ISTA 3A). 
  • Working knowledge of design control, risk management, and validation processes in accordance with ISO 13485 and FDA QSR requirements. 
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