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Material and Process Engineer - Welding

BAE Systems
BAE Systems Salary
San Jose, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 3/22/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/21/2026

Job Description
BAE Systems, a Top 10 Prime Contractor to the Department of Defense, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Principal Material and Process Engineer to lead the development and implementation of welding processing, metallurgy and other material processes for defense industry applications. The successful candidate will have advanced knowledge of materials science, welding and metallurgy, with a focus on defense industry standards and regulations.

As a Senior Principal Materials Engineer - Weld Focus at BAE Systems, you'll be part of a dynamic team that values innovation, collaboration, and technical expertise. You'll have the opportunity to work on complex projects that require advanced knowledge of materials science and metallurgy, with a focus on weld-related applications. In this role, you will work a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off, and our hybrid approach provides plenty of on-site collaboration and support for new staff onboarding as well as the flexibility for working remotely some days

As a Senior Principal Materials Engineer, you will apply advanced knowledge of engineering and scientific principles and practices in the area of specialized expertise to develop innovative solutions to complex technical problems. Our products are used by soldiers, sailors and marines, and must meet rigorous requirements, including combat survivability.

The Senior Principal Materials Engineer will provide technical leadership and guidance to specialized engineering groups and other technical personnel. This includes:
  • Providing technical vision and leadership for materials engineering, ensuring alignment with business objectives and strategic goals. You'll be responsible for conceptualizing, creating, and analyzing designs to ensure engineering projects meet technical, cost, quality, and performance requirements.
  • Research and develop concepts, designs, materials, functions, and performance of welded designs.
  • Selection of materials appropriate for the design that are available and economical that meet industry standards such as ASTM, AMS, or MIL-Specification.
  • Peer review of drawings and designs to ensure compliance with industry and military standards and regulations.
  • Experience reading and specifying weld symbols to AWS requirements to complex weldment designs.
  • Collaborating with internal and external customers to shape the future of weld codes and distill down, understand and communicate the impact of weld code changes.
  • Ensuring that weldment designs meet all performance requirement based on static or dynamic loading.
  • Working with suppliers on weld-related issues and resolving technical problems.
  • Providing technical expertise and guidance on weld-related matters to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
  • Justify weld repair methods and procedures to ensure there is no effect on performance.


Required Education, Experience, & Skills
  • Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, or a related field.
  • 8 years of experience in materials engineering, with a focus on weld metallurgy and materials selection.
  • Advanced knowledge of materials science and metallurgy, including weld-related properties and performance.
  • Experience with weld design, analysis and problem-solving.
  • Knowledge of metallurgy and welding codes.
  • Strong technical leadership and communication skills.
  • Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and drive business growth.


Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
  • Master's Degree or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Metallurgy, or a related field.
  • Industry-recognized certifications, such as AWS Certified Welding Engineer (CWE) or Professional Engineer (PE).
  • Experience working in a defense or aerospace industry, particularly with ships, submarines or combat vehicles or similar military structures.
  • Specialized knowledge of advanced welding processes.
  • Specialized knowledge of metallurgy and joining processes.
  • Experience with failure analysis techniques including fractography, microstructure, and mechanical properties.
  • Knowledge of materials laboratory techniques such as microscopy, hardness, mechanical properties, scanning electron microscopy, and chemical analysis.
  • Specialized knowledge of inspection and qualification techniques.
  • Experience with code development and implementation. #LI-Hybrid #LI-JR1


Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $145049 - $246584

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20 hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.


About BAE Systems Platforms & Services
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.

The Platforms & Services (P&S) sector under BAE Systems, Inc does the big stuff: the armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, and ship repair…just to name a few. Our employees take pride in the work they do and why they do it. They are on the front lines every day, building our products to protect the lives of those who serve. We may be biased, but we think P&S does some of the coolest work around, and we think you will too.

Salary : $145,049 - $246,584

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