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POSITION SPECIFICS
Job Description
The Electronic Fabrication and Test Systems Department at The Applied Research Laboratory (ARL), is seeking an Electrical Engineering Support Specialist to support multiple projects and a wide range of tasks supporting the undersea mission for our military sponsors. You will work on cutting-edge projects for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV’s), advanced sensors, and power and energy systems put us at the intersection of innovation and industry.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You Will:
Plan, supervise, perform, or provide input to the layout, fabrication, assembly, documentation, and testing of standard and non-standard electromechanical equipment
Provide input to and perform design of electromechanical systems and interconnect products
Evaluate, recommend and purchase materials and components to meet operation specifications and interact with vendors
Install, calibrate, operate and/or maintain standard and non-standard equipment, experimental hardware, and/or computer systems in the Laboratory or in the field, assist with or assess and identifying system faults, repair/adjust standard and non-standard equipment
Assist senior technical/engineering staff in gathering, compiling, and archiving test data in the Laboratory or off-site
Work as part of a test project support team in the Laboratory or off-site
Direct the work of and provide training to lower-level engineering support specialist staff members
Additional responsibilities for higher level position:
Perform assembly operations and fabrication of facility and test equipment
Provide input to and perform design and layout of standard facility and test equipment as directed
Inspect, test, and calibrate parts and equipment as directed
Evaluate the selection of materials, and components based on operational and performance specifications
Assess and identify system faults, and adjust and repair as directed
Assist senior technical/engineering staff in gathering, compiling, and archiving test data in the laboratory or in the field
May work as part of a test project support team, including selected task leadership roles, in the laboratory, or in the field
May develop and provide documentation for task procedures and process evaluation
Required skills/experience include:
Electronics and/or electro-mechanics
Operating electronic test equipment, and the ability to assemble, test, and troubleshoot electronic circuitry
Microsoft Office, with the ability and willingness to perform basic computer tasks or learn computer programs
Preferred skills/experience include:
An active secret government security clearance
This position is 100% on-site Located in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position will require periodic travel to remote locations in support of testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers, and technologists.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Engineering Designer, 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 Engineering Designer, 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
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 $68,604.00 - $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
- Electronics and/or electro-mechanics experience
- Operate electronic test equipment and ability to assemble, test, and troubleshoot electronic circuitry
- Microsoft Office proficiency and ability/willingness to learn computer programs
- U.S. citizenship (must be a U.S. citizen to apply)
- Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance; participation in drug testing and compliance with monitoring requirements
- Associate degree plus relevant experience (Advanced Professional: Associate degree + 4+ years; Senior Professional: Associate degree + 6+ years)
- Active Secret government security clearance
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.
