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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
Your working location will be a hybrid of on-site/work from home, on-site location is Freeport, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position will require up to 25% travel to remote locations.
We are searching for a Manufacturing Technology Engineer to lead critical manufacturing technology efforts at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. Our mission is to transition new electro-optics technologies and applications to Navy-selected focus platforms. Since 1999, the Electro-Optics Center has proudly served as the Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) Manufacturing Technology Center of Excellence for Electro-Optics. This roll will perform a wide range of applied research and development projects involving manufacturing technology applied to electronic and electro-optics systems.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
- Apply strong knowledge of engineering science and practices to identify manufacturing technology issues, then develop manufacturing improvements to produce U.S. military systems
- Execute research and development projects in manufacturing technology engineering
- Plan and manage concurrent project tasks to achieve research contract goals
- Collaborate with other engineers, scientists and technical staff including the Penn State ARL research team, faculty at Penn State, U.S military laboratories, U.S. military program offices and related industry teams to accomplish project and organizational goals
- Prepare and present your work as briefings and reports to a variety of audiences
Additional responsibilities of the higher-level include:
- Lead new concept development and create measurable project plans for new projects with internal and external stakeholders that provide a return to the government stakeholders
- Develop and maintain a vision for electronics and electro-optics manufacturing technology efforts
- Maintain familiarity with leading edge electronics and electro-optics technology and manufacturing techniques then propose applications to military platforms and subsystems to lower cost, improve delivery times or accelerate/enhance capability
- Ability to manage and directly contribute to a manufacturing research project portfolio
- Assist in project/task execution analyzing alternatives and applying engineering and project/portfolio management techniques and procedures
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
- 14+ years’ experience with electronics or electro-optics manufacturing technologies for components and systems
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes technical and program management
- Ability to clearly communicate, document, and present results
Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:·
- Bachelor’s of Science in engineering science or related field
- Past success developing, producing and testing electro-optic and electronic systems at the system/architecture level
- Directly-relevant ONR experience in electronics/electro-optics manufacturing
- Past success with project/portfolio management practices in a research/project leadership role
- An advanced technical degree relevant to electronic or electro-optic systems results
- Active security clearance at the TS/SCI level or higher
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 19+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 14+ 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 Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.
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 $140,004.00 - $265,704.00.
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
- 14+ years of experience with electronics or electro-optics manufacturing technologies for components and systems
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to clearly communicate, document, and present results
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or a related field
- Experience developing, producing, and testing electro-optic and electronic systems at the system or architecture level
- Directly relevant Office of Naval Research experience in electronics or electro-optics manufacturing
- Experience with project or portfolio management in a research or project leadership role
- Advanced technical degree relevant to electronic or electro-optic systems
- Active TS/SCI security clearance or higher
- Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
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.
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