Materials Scientist

RJ Lee Group; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

RJ Lee Group is seeking a Materials Scientist or Applied Physicist to join our Materials Characterization team in Pittsburgh. You will conduct technically complex investigations covering material performance, manufacturing processes, product development, QA/QC, and failure analysis.

The ideal candidate is hands-on, with strong analytical thinking, curiosity, and the ability to solve unfamiliar problems through solid scientific reasoning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Applied Physics, Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• 0–5 years of relevant experience in laboratory research, materials characterization, applied science, or technical investigations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical documentation.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic, client-service environment.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Perform scientific investigations and laboratory analyses involving a wide range of materials and material systems.
• Operate and interpret data from advanced analytical instrumentation and characterization techniques.
• Collect, analyze, and document experimental data for technical review and incorporation into client reports and deliverables.
• Support root-cause investigations involving product failures, manufacturing issues, contamination concerns, and material performance challenges.
• Assist in method development, experimental design, and technical problem-solving initiatives.
• Prepare technical summaries, written reports, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support consulting engagements, research efforts, and client solutions.
• Maintain laboratory documentation, quality standards, and compliance with safe laboratory practices.
• Support project execution to meet technical, schedule, and client expectations.

Skills

Strong written and verbalcommunication

Independent and collaborative work

Analytical, organizational and problem

Adaptability to changing priorities

U.S. citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Applied Physics, Engineering or related

Tools

Optical Microscopy

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)

Raman Spectroscopy

Gas Chromatography (GC)

Liquid Chromatography (LC)

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Position Summary

RJ Lee Group is a multidisciplinary scientific consulting, analytical laboratory, and technology solutions company providing advanced technical expertise to clients across a broad range of industries. We are seeking a Materials Scientist or Applied Physicist to join our Materials Characterization team and contribute to technically complex investigations involving material performance, manufacturing processes, product development, quality concerns, and failure analysis.

This position supports projects involving a diverse range of materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics, glass, minerals, concrete, composites, and electronic materials. Work may include materials characterization, root-cause investigations, manufacturing and process evaluations, product performance assessments, contamination studies, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), and litigation or regulatory support.

The successful candidate will apply scientific principles and analytical methodologies to investigate client challenges, generate defensible data, and support the development of technical conclusions and client deliverables. This role provides opportunities to work alongside subject matter experts across RJ Lee Group's multidisciplinary technical teams while gaining exposure to a wide variety of industries and analytical capabilities.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on scientist with strong analytical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to solve unfamiliar problems through sound scientific reasoning. Success in this role requires initiative, adaptability, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, client-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform scientific investigations and laboratory analyses involving a wide range of materials and material systems.
• Operate and interpret data from advanced analytical instrumentation and characterization techniques.
• Collect, analyze, and document experimental data for technical review and incorporation into client reports and deliverables.
• Support root-cause investigations involving product failures, manufacturing issues, contamination concerns, and material performance challenges.
• Assist in method development, experimental design, and technical problem-solving initiatives.
• Prepare technical summaries, written reports, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support consulting engagements, research efforts, and client solutions.
• Maintain laboratory documentation, quality standards, and compliance with safe laboratory practices.
• Support project execution to meet technical, schedule, and client expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Applied Physics, Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• 0–5 years of relevant experience in laboratory research, materials characterization, applied science, or technical investigations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical documentation.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic, client-service environment.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation and analytical techniques such as:
• Optical Microscopy
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
• Raman Spectroscopy
• Gas Chromatography (GC)
• Liquid Chromatography (LC)
• Experience with scientific programming or data analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, or similar platforms.
• Exposure to failure analysis, process troubleshooting, manufacturing investigations, or applied materials research.