Observed career paths · materials_science

Where does a Principal Materials Scientist go next?

5 observed directions, from real career histories. Percentages are the share of people who made each move; the count is how many careers each number rests on. This is the generic map. No aspiration, no filler.

Typical advancement
Director of Materials+34% typical comp change · ~3.0y typical
100% of observed moves out of Principal Materials Scientist go here (4,200 careers)
progressionconfidence high4,200 careers0% of observed exits move upward from there
Specialist path
Director of Operations+22% typical comp change · ~7.0y typical
reachable via Director of Materials. 23% joint share of observed careers
progressionconfidence moderate180 careers93% of observed exits move upward from there
Director of PMO+15% typical comp change · ~7.0y typical
reachable via Director of Materials. 23% joint share of observed careers
progressionconfidence moderate180 careers0% of observed exits move upward from there
Higher-growth opportunity
Principal Acoustical Consultant+27% typical comp change · ~7.0y typical
reachable via Director of Materials. 27% joint share of observed careers
progressionconfidence moderate210 careers0% of observed exits move upward from there
Director of Optical Engineering+47% typical comp change · ~7.0y typical
reachable via Director of Materials. 27% joint share of observed careers
progressionconfidence moderate210 careers0% of observed exits move upward from there

What this page can’t know: which of these fit you. Your skills change the overlap, your record changes the difficulty, your priorities change the order. One question. What do you do today?. And this map becomes yours.

See your version of this map →
Where does a Principal Materials Scientist go next? · Startline