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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
The Uncrewed Systems Department within the Materials, Manufacturing, and Sustainment Office (M2SO) of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University is searching for a Mechanical Research and Development Engineer to assist program development for special projects. We are seeking individuals with knowledge across a range of competencies including Design and Analysis, Modeling and Simulation, Process Development and Optimization, and Advanced Manufacturing to execute on the mechanical design of various large-scale systems and aerospace vehicle platforms.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Use accepted methods and techniques to assist with the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems, with a focus on electromechanical systems and vehicles
Investigate and evaluate applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles in the development and improvement of engineering systems
Contribute data/findings for use in technical reports, documentation, or oral/written presentations
Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members, engineers, and scientists to accomplish organizational goals; may provide ideas to improve efficiency at group
Present research, designs, and findings internally to engineers and scientists as well as externally to sponsors and research partners
Participate in field tests and exercises as required
Required skills/experience areas include:
Familiarity with the overall design process including conception, analysis, building, and testing of mechanical systems
Aerodynamic and mechanical analysis
CAD tools
Familiarity with digital engineering principles
Ability to express yourself and ideas successfully to others to provide understanding
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
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
Prior work in design and simulation tools and processes
Prototyping, hardware manufacturing, and rapid design iteration
Solidworks and NX
Abaqus, Matlab, python
Prototyping, hardware manufacturing, and rapid design iteration
Mechanical/Electrical design and troubleshooting
Past success presenting work to sponsors and technical audiences
Preferred degrees could include Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering
Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA.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 Research and Development Engineer - Mechanical (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 2+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Mechanical (ARL) - Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science No prior relevant work experience required 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 $92,100.00 - $174,708.00.
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
- Familiarity with overall design process including conception, analysis, building, and testing of mechanical systems
- Aerodynamic and mechanical analysis experience
- Experience with CAD tools
- Familiarity with digital engineering principles
- Ability to communicate ideas effectively to technical and non-technical audiences
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher
- U.S. citizenship (must be a U.S. citizen to apply)
- Willingness to complete background checks, drug testing, and comply with monitoring requirements
- Ability to participate in field tests and periodic travel to remote locations
- Prior work in design and simulation tools and processes
- Prototyping, hardware manufacturing, and rapid design iteration experience
- SolidWorks experience
- NX experience
- Abaqus experience
- Matlab experience
- Python experience
- Mechanical/electrical design and troubleshooting experience
- Past success presenting work to sponsors and technical audiences
- Preferred degrees could include Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering
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.
