Research & Development Engineer

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

We are searching for research and development engineers to join the Metals, Ceramics, and Coatings Processing team of the Materials Science Division in the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. ARL/Penn State’s purpose is to develop innovative solutions to challenging national problems in support of the Navy, DoD, and Intel communities engineering and technology needs. The Material Science Division has a decades long reputation of excellence and demonstrated history of developing systems and technologies that are currently in use by the US Navy and industry.

To maintain this capability we are seeking individuals with knowledge across a range of competencies. You will support the research and development of new materials, innovative material system designs, and novel fabrication and testing methods covering a wide range of material systems including ceramic, metallic, ceramic/metal matrix composites.

You will:

• Use accepted methods and techniques to assist with the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems,
• Contribute data/findings for use in technical reports, documents, or oral/written presentations
• Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members, engineers, and scientists to accomplish organizational goals; may provide ideas to improve efficiency at group.
• Present research, designs, and findings internally to engineers and scientists as well as externally to sponsors and research partners
• Participate in field tests and exercises as required

This position can be filled at multiple levels depending on education and experience.  Minimally requires a Bachelor’s Degree in an Engineering or Science discipline.  Additional experience and/or education are required for higher level positions. 

We seek skills/experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Materials process development, manufacturing and optimization: Techniques include but are not limited to: powder manufacturing, spark plasma sintering, vacuum hot press, hot isostatic press, additive manufacturing, cold spray, heat treatment, and forging
• Mechanical system design using computer aided design tools and computational analysis suites
• Materials selection, process optimization, and hands-on prototype skills
• Experimental procedure development for mechanical, environmental, and materials characterization testing: Mechanical testing, data analysis, and nondestructive inspection for a range of geometries from material coupons to full-scale or components

Requirements include:

• Understand basic engineering principles and be able to apply them to real-world problems
• Facilitate the overall design process including conception, analysis, building, and testing for mechanical systems
• Be comfortable working in a team environment
• Have excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills 

Additional responsibilities for higher level positions may include:

• Direct work of lower level staff and undergraduate students
• Investigate and evaluate practical applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles basic to the development and improvement of various engineering systems
• Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results
• Initiate or contribute data/analysis/design for use in technical reports, documents, proposals, or oral/written presentations, primarily related to communications
• Perform engineering tasks of a larger scope and lead specific engineering tasks within the project scope
• Author/co-author papers, proposals, presentations and reports
• Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members, engineers, and scientists to accomplish organizational goals; provide ideas to improve efficiency at group level; may network beyond own technical peer group
• Supervise the work of lower level staff and undergraduate students
• Assist in concept development and participate in the design analyses of engineering systems independently evaluating, selecting, and applying scientific or engineering procedures and techniques to assignments
• Develop and execute technical approach for solving problems and meeting customer/grantor needs
• Plan and perform tasks of a larger scope and lead specific tasks within the project scope; assemble research team members
• Make significant contributions to technical proposal preparation and/or presentations
• Mentor assigned staff in the development of technical, project, and business development skills

Preferred skills/experience areas include:

• Computer aided design tools such as NX and Solidworks
• Computational analysis suites such as Abaqus, COMSOL, Ansys, and Matlab
• Mechanical/Electrical design and troubleshooting experience
• Machining experience
• Past success with creating technical reports and documents, as well as providing ideas in written form for clear comprehension to an audience
• Materials characterization by various techniques, including optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet/visible and near infrared spectroscopy (UV-VIS NIR), Raman, and optical profilometry
• Vacuum system pumps, controls, electrical requirements, design, and proper integration of components Active government security clearance 

Your working location will be primarily on-site with ability to as needed flex work from home located in State College. Occasional travel to support meetings and field exercises will be required for this position.

ARL at Penn State is an integral part of one of the leading research universities in the nation and serves as a University center of excellence in defense science, systems, and technologies with a focus in naval missions and related areas.

You will be subject to a government security investigation, and you must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen. 

ARL is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion; we believe this is central to our success as a Department of Defense designated University Affiliated Research Center (UARC).  We are at our best when we draw on the talents of all parts of society, and our greatest accomplishments are achieved when diverse perspectives are part of our workforce.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.

**The proposed salary range may be impacted by geographic differential.**

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure. 

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: