Job Description:
Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World
Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.
This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.
The Impact You’ll Make in this Role
As a(n) Research Engineer, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:
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Being a part of a research team for 3M’s optical connector portfolio
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Guiding small teams of technicians to complete requested tests.
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Establishing test plans and methods, preparing samples, conducting
tests, analyzing data, and completing test reports. -
Collaborating with local and division manufacturing teams on division/value stream level projects focused on improving manufacturing operations
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Ensuring technical claims in 3M published literature are accurate and supported by test data
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Working with marketing and 3M’s business teams to engage with customers around the world.
Your Skills and Expertise
To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree or higher (completed and verified prior to start)
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Three (3) years of optical experience in a private, public, government or military environment
Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:
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Master's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Optics or Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
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Five (5) years of previous technical experience with demonstrated strength in engineering/technical skills in a private, public, government or military environment
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Experience with a variety of metrology tools that could include SEM, AFM, CMM, confocal microscopes, etc. to precisely measure micron and sub-micron features.
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Experience and knowledge with a variety of laboratory test equipment.
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Mechanical aptitude with designing and building test fixtures.
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Experience interpreting industry standards, product qualification testing, fiber optic, and electrical components.
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Experience working closely with customers, with responsive engagement externally and internally.
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Communication skills (oral, written and presentation).
Work location: Maplewood, MN
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Work location: This role follows an on-site working model, requiring the employee to work at least four days a week at the 3M Center in Maplewood, MN.
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Travel: May include up to 10% domestic/international
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Relocation: May be authorized
Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).
Supporting Your Well-being
3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.
Chat with Max
For assistance with searching through our current job openings or for more information about all things 3M, visit Max, our virtual recruiting assistant on 3M.com/careers.
Applicable to US Applicants Only:The expected compensation range for this position is $98,964 - $120,957, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.
Good Faith Posting Date Range 05/20/2026 To 06/19/2026 Or until filled
All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.
Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.
Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.
Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.
Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/
3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly.
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