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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 an Electrical Engineering Support Specialist for the Electronic Materials and Devices Department (EMDD) at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. EMDD is a vertically integrated lab with key areas of focus including wide/ultrawide bandgap (WBG/UWBG) semiconductors, sensors, ceramics, laser processing, and additive manufacturing (AM). This position will directly support research and development (R&D) efforts in the areas of electronic materials processing, testing/characterization, semiconductor device fabrication, sample preparation, polishing, and materials growth/synthesis.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Conduct materials characterization (e.g., microscopy, spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction)
Prepare and polish samples
Operate furnaces/reactors; monitor materials growth and synthesis processes
Perform device fabrication in a cleanroom environment
Carry out electrical characterization and device testing
Support routine equipment maintenance
Provide input on technical approaches and processing conditions
Ensure equipment is operated safely and in compliance with safety standards
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
Sample preparation and materials characterization techniques
Laboratory safety practices, including PPE, chemical handling, waste disposal, etc.
Success maintaining organized and detailed documentation
Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint
Ability to express ideas successfully to drive understanding
Willingness to work in a fast-paced team environment
Preferred skills/experience include:
OM, SEM, EDS, XRD, AFM, or other materials characterization techniques
Lithography, evaporation, sputtering, dry etching, wet etching, or other device processing steps in a cleanroom environment
Vacuum systems/hardware and familiarly with high temperature crystal growth equipment
Semiconductor devices and methods
Additive manufacturing/3D printing tools
CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, etc.)
- 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.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Technical Engineering Specialist, Electrical (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Associate Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None If filled as Technical Engineering Specialist, Electrical (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Associate Degree 4+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None If filled as Technical Engineering Specialist, Electrical (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Associate Degree 2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted 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 website 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 $51,504.00 - $113,100.00.
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
- Sample preparation and materials characterization techniques
- Laboratory safety practices (PPE, chemical handling, waste disposal)
- Maintain organized and detailed documentation
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Ability to communicate technical ideas effectively
- Willingness to work in a fast-paced team environment
- Associate degree (or equivalent) with relevant experience (minimum typically 2+ years; higher levels available at 4+ or 6+ years)
- U.S. citizenship required
- Eligible to obtain government security clearance and pass background checks/drug testing
- On-site work in State College, PA
- OM, SEM, EDS, XRD, AFM experience
- Cleanroom device processing (lithography, evaporation, sputtering, dry/wet etching)
- Experience with vacuum systems and high temperature crystal growth equipment
- Knowledge of semiconductor devices and methods
- Additive manufacturing / 3D printing experience
- CAD software experience (SolidWorks, AutoCAD)
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at 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.
