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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 can/will be fully on-site located in State College, PA.
We are searching for a highly motivated Research & Development Test Engineer to join the Energy Science and Power Systems (ESPS) Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. ESPS is focused on developing novel energy sources and power producing systems mainly for underwater applications by maintaining core skills in the area of thermo-fluid systems, chemical reactions, high-speed machinery, structural analysis, and automation & controls. This role will plan, setup and execute experimental tests, analyze results, and update test objectives to obtain meaningful results.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Develop and execute test plans and procedures for multi-disciplinary hardware systems
Perform test risk reduction activities and safety analyses with other engineers
Conduct functional, environmental, and performance tests using laboratory instrumentation
Set up, configure, and verify test benches, fixtures, sensors, data acquisition hardware, and other measurement equipment
Collaborate with engineering support staff to fabricate test hardware, prototypes, and fixtures
Collect, analyze, and document test data; identify anomalies; and support root cause investigation
Contribute to the development and improvement of qualification processes and quality procedures for engineering support staff
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
Laboratory instrumentation such as mass flow meters, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, data acquisition systems (e.g. NI hardware and software
Strong problem-solving ability with willingness to work hands-on with hardware
Clear and organized documentation skills
CAD software (e.g. Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar)
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:
Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline
Past success working with and testing hazardous energetic materials, familiarity with the various safety measures and necessary documentation
Verification and validation methods for thermal-fluid systems
Structural, thermal, and fluid flow FEA of complex engineering systems (ANSYS preferred)
Analytical chemistry instrumentation (e.g. mass spectrometer, gas chromatograph)
Exposure to quality control standards, best practices for manufacturing, and qualification of engineering support staff
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
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as R&D Engineer - Test (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 - Test (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 $80,100.00 - $152,004.00.
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
- At least 2 years of relevant experience if hired at the Intermediate Professional level; no prior relevant experience required at the Professional level
- Experience with laboratory instrumentation, including mass flow meters, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and data acquisition systems
- Strong problem-solving ability and willingness to work hands-on with hardware
- Clear and organized documentation skills
- Experience with CAD software such as Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Master's degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or a related discipline
- Experience testing hazardous energetic materials and familiarity with applicable safety measures and documentation
- Experience with verification and validation methods for thermal-fluid systems
- Experience with structural, thermal, and fluid-flow FEA; ANSYS preferred
- Experience with analytical chemistry instrumentation such as mass spectrometers or gas chromatographs
- Exposure to quality control standards, manufacturing best practices, and qualification of engineering support staff
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher
- 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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