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- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
We are searching for Battery Systems Research and Development Engineers to join our Battery Technology Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. You will design, develop, and tests prototype battery systems for high power and high energy electric propulsion underwater vehicles. ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Design and prototype by creating new module and pack designs or improving existing ones for enhanced performance or safety
Investigate and evaluate new battery chemistries by scouting and assessing innovative and emerging technologies through literature reviews, external partnerships, and competitive benchmarking
Model and simulate computation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink) to model battery systems to predict performance, thermal behavior, and safety under various conditions
Design comprehensive experiments and testing protocols (performance, cycle life, thermal stability, electrical stress, vibration) in a lab environment
Collect, analyze, and interpret large sets of data to evaluate performance, identify failure modes, and determine root causes of issues
Perform safety assessments, conducting DFMEAs (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), and ensuring designs and processes comply with the US Navy Lithium Battery Safety program and standards
Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and fabrication teams to ensure seamless integration of battery components into underwater electric vehicles
Prepare detailed technical reports, schematics, design documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and validation plans
Additional responsibilities for higher level positions include:
Contribute to the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems
Investigate and evaluate practical applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles to develop and improve various engineering systems; identify technical approach for solving problems and meeting customer/grantor needs
Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results and follow operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes
Conduct experiments/tests in the laboratory/field to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions on basis of research findings and experiences of others researching in related technical areas; may include taking measurements and recording observations, collecting, compiling, and processing data; may include planning/designing experiments or tests and supervising the execution thereof
Required skills/experience areas include:
High-voltage battery systems
Work within or lead a technical team of engineers/scientists
Understanding of high-voltage battery design concepts
Troubleshoot and integrate hardware into larger complex systems
Battery state estimation and control algorithms
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
Successful technical publications in peer-reviewed journals or conference proceedings
Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required.
Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 14+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 5+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None
ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $121,704.00 - $231,000.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science
- 14+ years relevant experience (Senior Professional grade)
- 5+ years relevant experience (Advanced Professional grade)
- Experience with high-voltage battery systems
- Designing and prototyping battery modules and packs
- Modeling and simulation using MATLAB/Simulink
- Designing experiments and laboratory testing protocols (performance, cycle life, thermal, vibration)
- Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting large experimental datasets
- Performing safety assessments and DFMEAs; ensuring compliance with Navy lithium battery safety standards
- Battery state estimation and control algorithm experience
- Troubleshoot and integrate hardware into larger complex systems
- Ability to work within or lead a technical team of engineers/scientists
- U.S. citizenship (must be a U.S. citizen to apply)
- Eligibility to obtain government security clearance and pass background checks/drug testing
- Successful technical publications in peer-reviewed journals or conferences
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
Penn State University Insights
What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
