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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 fully on-site in State College, PA. This position will require periodic travel to remote locations.
We are searching for Technical Engineering Specialists to join our Deployables and Undersea Connectivity (DUC) Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. The mission of the DUC Department is to develop and mature technical methods and devices to connect platforms in the undersea domain, as well as, bridge to above the sea-air boundary, support tethered and untethered communication techniques between stationary or moving undersea platforms, and employ these capabilities to solve the most challenging undersea communications problems.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
- Perform assembly operations and fabrication of facility and test equipment
- Provide input to and perform design and layout of standard facility and test equipment as directed
- Inspect, test, and calibrate parts and equipment as directed
- Evaluate the selection of materials and components based on operational and performance specifications
- Assess and identify system faults, and adjust and repair as directed
- Assist senior technical/engineering staff in gathering, compiling, and archiving test data in the laboratory or in the field
- May work as part of a test project support team, including selected task leadership roles, in the laboratory, or in the field
- May develop and provide documentation for task procedures and process evaluation
Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:
- Collaborate with engineers, scientists, project managers, machinists, technologists, and other technical personnel to coordinate project activities, schedules, resource requirements, and technical solutions
- Participate in multidisciplinary laboratory and field test activities, including data collection, system monitoring, and post-test analysis support
- Develop, maintain, and improve technical procedures, assembly instructions, test procedures, maintenance documentation, and laboratory operating practices to support repeatability, quality, and operational efficiency
- Support continuous improvement initiatives by recommending enhancements to fabrication processes, laboratory operations, testing methods, equipment reliability, and workflow efficiency
- Assist in compiling, organizing, safeguarding, and archiving technical documentation, test data, calibration records, and project deliverables in accordance with laboratory records management and sponsor requirements
- May provide technical guidance and task direction to less experienced engineering support personnel, students, or temporary staff during laboratory or field activities
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
- Highly capable in complex electro-mechanical component, sub-system and system assembly, disassembly, inspection, testing, design, and troubleshooting.
- Demonstrate the ability to interpret engineering drawings and adherence to detailed electro-mechanical assembly procedures.
Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:
- Test & troubleshoot fiber optic cables and assemblies using OTDR and/or power meter
- Past success performing mechanical or fusion splices, terminate connectors and inspect various fiber optic cable and connector components
- Very high attention to detail
- Proficient writing skills to prepare test procedures and reports
- Microsoft Office
- 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 Technical Engineering Specialist, Electrical (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Associate Degree 4+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None If filled as Technical Engineering Specialist, Electrical (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Associate Degree 2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted 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 $51,504.00 - $102,900.00.
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
- Associate degree and at least 2 years of relevant experience for the Intermediate Professional level
- Associate degree and at least 4 years of relevant experience for the Advanced Professional level
- Equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted
- Ability to perform complex electro-mechanical assembly, disassembly, inspection, testing, design, and troubleshooting
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings and follow detailed electro-mechanical assembly procedures
- U.S. citizenship
- Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance
- Experience testing and troubleshooting fiber-optic cables using OTDR or power meter
- Experience performing mechanical or fusion splices, terminating connectors, and inspecting fiber-optic components
- Strong attention to detail
- Proficient writing skills for test procedures and reports
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Current eligibility for Secret-level or higher classified-information access
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.
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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.
