Materials Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Materials Engineer jobs in North Carolina are steadily in demand, with openings concentrated in aerospace components, advanced textiles, semiconductor manufacturing, and defense systems from entry-level through senior principal roles. The strongest hiring activity is in the Research Triangle region, Charlotte, and Greensboro, where established employers such as Honeywell, Wolfspeed, and Freudenberg Performance Materials maintain significant engineering operations. Polymer materials, ceramic coatings, and electronic materials are among the most sought-after specialties across North Carolina listings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Materials Engineer JobsOverview
Open roles12
Top employerVulcan Elements
Top cityDurham, NC
Cities hiring10
Work type100% On-site
Top credentialMaster's degree
Showing 5 of 12+ Materials Engineer jobs
Materials Engineer I - R&D and Process Development
We won't show you this job again
Added 6d ago
LTS Research Laboratories, Inc
Materials Engineer I - R&D and Process Development
Belmont, North Carolina
Added 6d ago
Materials Engineer / Metallurgist
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Added 1w ago
BorgWarner
Materials Engineer / Metallurgist
Arden, North Carolina
Added 1w ago
Senior Materials Engineer
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Added 1w ago
Corning
Senior Materials Engineer
Hickory, North Carolina
Added 1w ago
Materials Engineer - Advanced Ceramics & Coatings
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Added 2w ago
Siemens Energy
Materials Engineer - Advanced Ceramics & Coatings
Charlotte, North Carolina
Added 2w ago
Intermediate Construction Materials Engineer
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Added 2w ago
WSP
Intermediate Construction Materials Engineer
Asheville, North Carolina
Added 2w ago
Added 6d ago
Materials Engineer I - R&D and Process Development
LTS Research Laboratories, Inc·Belmont, North Carolina
Job functions:
$50k - $70k/yr
Master's degree in chemistry
Job Description
Location: Belmont, North Carolina, Charlotte Area
Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience Level: Entry Level
Work Arrangement: On-Site
Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience Level: Entry Level
Work Arrangement: On-Site
About LTS Research Laboratories
LTS Research Laboratories, Inc. is a materials technology company specializing in high-purity materials, advanced inorganic materials, rare-earth materials, sputtering targets, evaporation materials, and custom materials for research and industrial applications.
We are seeking an Entry-Level Materials Engineer who is interested in hands-on research, materials processing, chemical development, powder metallurgy, and advanced materials characterization.
This is a laboratory and manufacturing-focused position. The successful candidate will work directly with new materials, experimental processes, analytical instruments, and production equipment rather than working exclusively at a desk.
Position Summary
The Materials Engineer will support research and development of new chemical compounds and advanced materials and assist in developing processes to convert raw materials and powders into finished products.
The position will involve materials including metals, alloys, ceramics, inorganic compounds, rare-earth compounds, organometallic materials, and selected specialty chemicals.
A major focus of the position will be developing and optimizing processes for manufacturing sputtering targets, pellets, powders, granules, and other advanced material forms.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct R&D on new inorganic, rare-earth, organometallic, and specialty chemical materials.
- Develop and optimize synthesis, purification, heat-treatment, and materials-processing procedures.
- Develop processes for manufacturing sputtering targets from powders, including powder preparation, blending, particle-size control, pressing, sintering, heat treatment, density evaluation, grinding, and finishing.
- Operate laboratory and production-scale powder presses and assist with development of pressing parameters for pellets and sputtering targets.
- Investigate the relationship between powder characteristics, pressing conditions, sintering parameters, density, microstructure, and final material performance.
- Prepare experimental batches and scale successful laboratory processes toward production.
- Characterize raw materials, intermediate materials, and finished products using techniques including:
- X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
- Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)
- Particle Size Distribution (PSD)
- ICP-MS
- Other chemical and materials characterization techniques as required
- Interpret analytical results and determine whether materials meet purity, phase, particle-size, density, and compositional requirements.
- Investigate material failures, contamination, oxidation, phase changes, processing problems, and other technical issues.
- Work with high-temperature furnaces, vacuum equipment, powder-processing equipment, presses, laboratory instruments, and related manufacturing equipment.
- Handle air-sensitive, moisture-sensitive, hygroscopic, reactive, and high-purity materials using appropriate laboratory procedures and inert-atmosphere techniques when required.
- Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, experimental records, processing parameters, and analytical data.
- Prepare technical reports, specifications, test reports, Certificates of Analysis, and internal process documentation.
- Develop and improve standard operating procedures for laboratory and manufacturing processes.
- Support incoming raw-material qualification and finished-product quality control.
- Assist with technical evaluation of customer specifications and custom material requirements.
- Work closely with production, quality, technical sales, and management to transition successful R&D projects into repeatable manufacturing processes.
- Maintain laboratory safety, cleanliness, chemical labeling, proper material storage, and compliance with established safety procedures.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Ceramic Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
- Strong fundamental understanding of materials science, chemistry, and materials characterization.
- Interest in hands-on laboratory, R&D, and manufacturing work.
- Ability to analyze experimental data and troubleshoot technical problems.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate technical documentation.
- Ability to safely work with chemicals, powders, laboratory equipment, furnaces, vacuum systems, and manufacturing equipment.
- Basic computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Word, and technical data analysis.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous industrial experience is not required. New graduates are encouraged to apply.
Experience through university laboratories, internships, research projects, or previous employment in any of the following areas is desirable:
- Powder metallurgy
- Ceramic processing
- Sputtering targets
- Thin-film materials
- Powder pressing and pelletization
- Sintering
- High-temperature furnaces
- Vacuum processing
- Glovebox or inert-atmosphere processing
- XRD
- SEM/EDS
- Particle-size analysis
- ICP-MS or other elemental-analysis techniques
- Rare-earth materials
- High-purity metals and compounds
- Materials synthesis
- Materials failure analysis
- Experimental and statistical data analysis
M.S. in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field is a plus, but is not required.
Compensation & Benefits
LTS Research Laboratories offers a competitive compensation and benefits package for full-time employees, including:
- Competitive salary
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Health insurance benefits
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Paid vacation
- Paid sick leave
- Paid company holidays
- Professional development and hands-on technical training
- Opportunities for career growth and advancement
- Exposure to advanced materials, analytical technologies, and manufacturing processes
- Opportunity to work directly on R&D projects from laboratory development through production
Work Authorization
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are encouraged to apply.
LTS Research Laboratories is not offering new visa sponsorship for this position.
Qualified candidates who are currently in valid H-1B status may be considered for H-1B employer transfer support, subject to eligibility and applicable immigration requirements.
Candidates with an existing approved I-140 and valid U.S. work authorization may also be considered based on their individual immigration and employment authorization status.
Candidates should clearly identify their current U.S. work authorization status during the application process.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who is curious about how materials are made and why they behave the way they do.
The ideal candidate enjoys solving practical technical problems, working directly with laboratory equipment, designing experiments, analyzing results, and developing a process from an initial laboratory experiment into a reproducible product.
This position is particularly well suited for a recent graduate who wants broad exposure to materials R&D, analytical characterization, powder processing, sputtering-target manufacturing, high-purity chemicals, rare-earth materials, and advanced materials production rather than working in only one narrow area of materials engineering.
Work Location
This is a full-time, on-site laboratory and manufacturing position in Belmont, North Carolina, in the Charlotte metropolitan area.
Local candidates in the Belmont, Charlotte, Gastonia, and surrounding areas are strongly encouraged to apply.
Recent graduates who are currently authorized to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.
LTS Research Laboratories, Inc
Materials Engineer I - R&D and Process Development
Belmont, North Carolina
Added 6d ago
Job functions:
$50k - $70k/yr
Master's degree in chemistry
Job Description
Location: Belmont, North Carolina, Charlotte Area
Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience Level: Entry Level
Work Arrangement: On-Site
Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience Level: Entry Level
Work Arrangement: On-Site
About LTS Research Laboratories
LTS Research Laboratories, Inc. is a materials technology company specializing in high-purity materials, advanced inorganic materials, rare-earth materials, sputtering targets, evaporation materials, and custom materials for research and industrial applications.
We are seeking an Entry-Level Materials Engineer who is interested in hands-on research, materials processing, chemical development, powder metallurgy, and advanced materials characterization.
This is a laboratory and manufacturing-focused position. The successful candidate will work directly with new materials, experimental processes, analytical instruments, and production equipment rather than working exclusively at a desk.
Position Summary
The Materials Engineer will support research and development of new chemical compounds and advanced materials and assist in developing processes to convert raw materials and powders into finished products.
The position will involve materials including metals, alloys, ceramics, inorganic compounds, rare-earth compounds, organometallic materials, and selected specialty chemicals.
A major focus of the position will be developing and optimizing processes for manufacturing sputtering targets, pellets, powders, granules, and other advanced material forms.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct R&D on new inorganic, rare-earth, organometallic, and specialty chemical materials.
- Develop and optimize synthesis, purification, heat-treatment, and materials-processing procedures.
- Develop processes for manufacturing sputtering targets from powders, including powder preparation, blending, particle-size control, pressing, sintering, heat treatment, density evaluation, grinding, and finishing.
- Operate laboratory and production-scale powder presses and assist with development of pressing parameters for pellets and sputtering targets.
- Investigate the relationship between powder characteristics, pressing conditions, sintering parameters, density, microstructure, and final material performance.
- Prepare experimental batches and scale successful laboratory processes toward production.
- Characterize raw materials, intermediate materials, and finished products using techniques including:
- X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
- Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)
- Particle Size Distribution (PSD)
- ICP-MS
- Other chemical and materials characterization techniques as required
- Interpret analytical results and determine whether materials meet purity, phase, particle-size, density, and compositional requirements.
- Investigate material failures, contamination, oxidation, phase changes, processing problems, and other technical issues.
- Work with high-temperature furnaces, vacuum equipment, powder-processing equipment, presses, laboratory instruments, and related manufacturing equipment.
- Handle air-sensitive, moisture-sensitive, hygroscopic, reactive, and high-purity materials using appropriate laboratory procedures and inert-atmosphere techniques when required.
- Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, experimental records, processing parameters, and analytical data.
- Prepare technical reports, specifications, test reports, Certificates of Analysis, and internal process documentation.
- Develop and improve standard operating procedures for laboratory and manufacturing processes.
- Support incoming raw-material qualification and finished-product quality control.
- Assist with technical evaluation of customer specifications and custom material requirements.
- Work closely with production, quality, technical sales, and management to transition successful R&D projects into repeatable manufacturing processes.
- Maintain laboratory safety, cleanliness, chemical labeling, proper material storage, and compliance with established safety procedures.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Ceramic Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
- Strong fundamental understanding of materials science, chemistry, and materials characterization.
- Interest in hands-on laboratory, R&D, and manufacturing work.
- Ability to analyze experimental data and troubleshoot technical problems.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate technical documentation.
- Ability to safely work with chemicals, powders, laboratory equipment, furnaces, vacuum systems, and manufacturing equipment.
- Basic computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Word, and technical data analysis.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous industrial experience is not required. New graduates are encouraged to apply.
Experience through university laboratories, internships, research projects, or previous employment in any of the following areas is desirable:
- Powder metallurgy
- Ceramic processing
- Sputtering targets
- Thin-film materials
- Powder pressing and pelletization
- Sintering
- High-temperature furnaces
- Vacuum processing
- Glovebox or inert-atmosphere processing
- XRD
- SEM/EDS
- Particle-size analysis
- ICP-MS or other elemental-analysis techniques
- Rare-earth materials
- High-purity metals and compounds
- Materials synthesis
- Materials failure analysis
- Experimental and statistical data analysis
M.S. in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field is a plus, but is not required.
Compensation & Benefits
LTS Research Laboratories offers a competitive compensation and benefits package for full-time employees, including:
- Competitive salary
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Health insurance benefits
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Paid vacation
- Paid sick leave
- Paid company holidays
- Professional development and hands-on technical training
- Opportunities for career growth and advancement
- Exposure to advanced materials, analytical technologies, and manufacturing processes
- Opportunity to work directly on R&D projects from laboratory development through production
Work Authorization
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are encouraged to apply.
LTS Research Laboratories is not offering new visa sponsorship for this position.
Qualified candidates who are currently in valid H-1B status may be considered for H-1B employer transfer support, subject to eligibility and applicable immigration requirements.
Candidates with an existing approved I-140 and valid U.S. work authorization may also be considered based on their individual immigration and employment authorization status.
Candidates should clearly identify their current U.S. work authorization status during the application process.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who is curious about how materials are made and why they behave the way they do.
The ideal candidate enjoys solving practical technical problems, working directly with laboratory equipment, designing experiments, analyzing results, and developing a process from an initial laboratory experiment into a reproducible product.
This position is particularly well suited for a recent graduate who wants broad exposure to materials R&D, analytical characterization, powder processing, sputtering-target manufacturing, high-purity chemicals, rare-earth materials, and advanced materials production rather than working in only one narrow area of materials engineering.
Work Location
This is a full-time, on-site laboratory and manufacturing position in Belmont, North Carolina, in the Charlotte metropolitan area.
Local candidates in the Belmont, Charlotte, Gastonia, and surrounding areas are strongly encouraged to apply.
Recent graduates who are currently authorized to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.
See All 12 Materials Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Materials Engineer JobsMaterials Engineer Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Durham
2 jobsHickory
2 jobsArden
1 jobBenson
1 jobWilson
1 jobBelmont
1 jobConcord
1 jobGastonia
1 jobAsheville
1 jobCharlotte
1 jobMaterials Engineer Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in materials engineer jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's degree in materials science, materials engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline
- Experience with materials characterization techniques such as SEM, XRD, or tensile testing
- Proficiency in failure analysis and materials selection for manufacturing or defense applications
- Familiarity with quality management systems such as AS9100, ISO 9001, or IATF 16949
- Knowledge of polymer processing, composite fabrication, or semiconductor materials relevant to North Carolina industries
- Professional Engineer licensure through the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors preferred for senior roles
Materials Engineer Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a materials engineer in North Carolina?
Becoming a materials engineer in North Carolina starts with earning a bachelor's degree in materials science, materials engineering, or a related field from an ABET-accredited program. Engineers who take on public-responsibility roles can pursue licensure through the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors, which requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, gaining qualifying experience, and then sitting for the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. Many North Carolina employers hire directly from university programs at NC State and UNC Charlotte.
How much do materials engineers make in North Carolina?
Materials engineers in North Carolina earn a median of about $104,240 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $78,160 for the lowest 10% to over $153,570 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire materials engineers in North Carolina?
Employers hiring materials engineers in North Carolina right now include Vulcan Elements, Corning, and WSP, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. North Carolina's concentration of aerospace, semiconductor, and advanced manufacturing firms means demand is spread across both large multinationals with state facilities and regional manufacturers serving defense and energy sectors.
Which North Carolina cities have the most materials engineer jobs?
The cities with the most materials engineer openings in North Carolina are Durham, Hickory, and Arden. The Research Triangle draws the largest share of postings because of its dense cluster of semiconductor, biotech, and defense manufacturers, while Charlotte and Greensboro add volume through aerospace components suppliers and advanced textile producers anchored in those metros.
Are there remote materials engineer jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, but they're rare. Materials engineering is largely a hands-on discipline requiring lab access, equipment operation, and on-site process oversight, so most roles are fully on-site. About 0% of materials engineer openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to cover simulation, materials qualification review, or technical writing rather than direct lab or production work.
How can I get hired as a materials engineer in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to co-op or new-graduate rotational programs at large North Carolina manufacturers such as Honeywell Aerospace or Wolfspeed, which regularly hire candidates without professional experience. NC State's engineering cooperative education program places students directly into these roles. Adjacent positions such as materials technician, quality lab analyst, or failure analysis technician are common stepping stones. Completing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and building a portfolio of characterization or testing projects gives entry-level candidates a measurable edge.
Where can I find and apply to materials engineer jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to materials engineer jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and target location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 12 Materials Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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