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- 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.
POSITION SPECIFICS
We are searching for a Mechanical Research and Development Engineer to join the Expeditionary Manufacturing and Repair Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. We are seeking individuals with knowledge across a range of competencies including Design and Analysis, Model and Simulation, Process Development and Optimization, and Characterization and Testing. The successful candidate will support research and development of new materials, innovative material system designs, and novel fabrication and testing methods covering a wide range of material systems including ceramics, metallics, and ceramic/metal matrix composites.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Provide input to and assist with sample production as well as Cold Spray process support equipment setup, design and assembly
Perform fabrication/machining/characterization/mechanical testing of materials in support of projects
Meet with faculty and staff engineers to define the scope of task requirements and schedule constraints, communicate with engineers and project managers to provide progress reports and facilitate the identification of resources needed to accomplish the task/project
Perform daily specimen and coupon fabrication operations and fabrication of facility and test equipment
Document process parameters and processes
Operate and maintain Cold Spray, Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing and Wire Arc Direct Energy Deposition systems which include both stationary and portable robotics
Inspect, test, and calibrate equipment as directed
Perform facility maintenance and repair of capital and test equipment in support of various projects
Assist senior technical/engineering staff in gathering, compiling, and archiving test data in the laboratory or in the field
Develop documentation of task procedures and process evaluation
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Science, or Engineering Technology Discipline and 4+ years related experience
Strong foundation in machining including CNC and Manual Machining
Past success using different types of materials and processes, repair and maintenance technology, robotics, scheduling, logistics, and program/job planning
Understanding of mechanical and electrical systems
Understanding of how to work in an industrial environment
Laboratory testing and ability to follow test procedures and standards
Welding
Sheet metal fabrication
Electrical wiring (AC and DC)
Laboratory testing and ability to follow test procedures and standards
Past success interpreting and applying geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
General equipment maintenance and routine preventative maintenance
Machine shop setting/ lab safety practices
Success in a technical environment, where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
Demonstrated ability to work through problems, using proper steps to define and formulate ideas to reach a solution
Microsoft Office
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
Additive manufacturing and/or Cold Spray
Robotic systems and programming
Working understanding of Navy Shipyard operations
Understanding of Navy materials and manufacturing processes as well as Navy material repair techniques including Cold Spray, welding, electroplating, etc.
Knowledge of CAD/CAM
Mechanical design and drafting
Additive manufacturing
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. This this position will require periodic travel to remote locations in support of testing as part of a team of researchers, engineers, technologists, and support specialists.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as R&D 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 R&D 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 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 $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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PA State Labor Law Poster
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or Engineering Technology
- 4+ years related experience (fabrication, machining, testing)
- Strong foundation in CNC and manual machining
- Experience with machining, fabrication, and material repair technologies
- Understanding of mechanical and electrical systems
- Laboratory testing and ability to follow test procedures and standards
- Welding
- Sheet metal fabrication
- Electrical wiring (AC and DC)
- Interpret and apply geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
- General equipment maintenance and preventative maintenance
- Machine shop setting and lab safety practices
- Communication and organizational skills
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills
- Microsoft Office
- U.S. citizenship (must be a U.S. citizen to apply)
- Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance and pass background checks
- Additive manufacturing and/or Cold Spray experience
- Robotic systems and programming
- Working understanding of Navy shipyard operations
- Understanding of Navy materials and repair techniques (Cold Spray, electroplating)
- Knowledge of CAD/CAM and mechanical design/drafting
- Current eligibility/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.
