After obtaining her Master's degree and based on a recommendation from Irving Langmuir, Blodgett was hired as a research scientist at General Electric (GE) in Schenectady, New York. She was the first woman to be hired as a scientist at GE.

Following several years at GE, Blodgett pursued a Ph.D. in physics at Cambridge University under the supervision of Lord Ernest Rutherford, the renowned physicist. In 1926, she became the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in physics from Cambridge. Her doctoral research focused on the behavior of electrons in mercury vapor.

Upon returning to GE, Blodgett continued her research on surface chemistry, working closely with Irving Langmuir. This collaboration proved highly productive, leading to her most significant inventions.

Blodgett invented 'invisible' or non-reflective glass by developing a method to deposit thin films of barium stearate onto glass surfaces. This significantly reduced glare and improved light transmission, marking a major breakthrough.

During World War II, Blodgett's non-reflective glass technology was crucial for military applications, including submarine periscopes, aerial reconnaissance cameras, and gas masks, enhancing their effectiveness.

After the war, her non-reflective glass found numerous civilian applications, including eyeglasses, camera lenses, and projection screens, becoming a standard feature in these products.

Blodgett also made significant contributions to the understanding of surface chemistry and monomolecular films, publishing over 50 scientific papers throughout her career. Her work extended beyond non-reflective glass.

Katharine Burr Blodgett retired from General Electric in 1963 after a distinguished 45-year career. Even in retirement, she continued to be interested in science and technology.