- CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- 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.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
We are searching for Engineering Support Specialist Interns to join our Electronic Materials and Devices Department 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. You will join a team of scientists and engineers performing a wide range of fundamental and applied research and development projects involving semiconductor, optical and piezoelectric materials synthesis, materials characterization, electronic device processing, and sensor fabrication and testing.
Students typically work 5-10 hours per week during the semester and 40 hours per week over the summer. EMDD works with students to determine a schedule based on classes and other academic obligations. Exact pay is determined based on number of credits completed.
Students majoring in the following are encouraged to apply:
Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE)
Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM)
Electrical Engineering (EE)
Mechanical Engineering (ME)
Chemical Engineering (ChemE)
You will perform the following:
Substrate fabricating, including cutting, dicing, grinding, lapping, and polishing
Materials characterization, including microscopy, spectroscopy, and surface profiling
Electrical characterization
Mechanical and environmental testing
Furnace recipe development, loading, unloading, and profiling
Ceramic processing, including preparing slurries, tape casting, electroding, and sintering
Additive manufacturing / 3D printing, including CAD modelling, preparing slurries/inks, and running printers with a focus on electronics applications
Required skill and experience include:
Basic knowledge of engineering concepts and the scientific method
Basic skills for using hand tools (e.g., tape measures, hammers, pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.)
Proficiency at using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Good presentation, interpersonal, and communication skills
Ability to maintain organized, detailed notes
Ability to work effectively as part of a project team
Your working location will be on-site in State College, PA. This position will be mostly located at the 230 Building at Innovation Park (along the Red Link CATA bus route) with some work being performed at the Millennium Science Complex (MSC) on campus and other ARL buildings surrounding campus.
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.
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.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
Skills Required
- Basic knowledge of engineering concepts and the scientific method
- Basic hand-tool skills, including use of tape measures, hammers, pliers, wrenches, and screwdrivers
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Good presentation, interpersonal, and communication skills
- Ability to maintain organized, detailed notes
- Ability to work effectively as part of a project team
- U.S. citizenship
- Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance
- Successful completion of required background checks
- Participation in the ARL drug testing program and compliance with electronic and physical monitoring requirements
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.
