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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
Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.
We are searching for a hands-on Technical Engineering Specialist, Mechanical to join the Materials for Extreme Environments Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The Materials for Extreme Environments Department develops and evaluates advanced materials, manufacturing processes, and engineering solutions for demanding operational environments. This role will support laboratory research, materials processing, prototype fabrication, equipment operation, component testing, and the transition of new technologies into practical applications for the U.S. military, and other government customers.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
- Prepare metallic, ceramic, polymer, composite, and coated specimens through cutting, machining, grinding, polishing, cleaning, and masking
- Operate and support materials-processing, coating, heat-treatment, surface-preparation, and testing equipment
- Design, fabricate, assemble, and modify prototypes, experimental hardware, and test fixtures under the direction of engineering staff
- Conduct and document mechanical, thermal, environmental, and surface-property testing
- Perform materials characterization using microscopy, spectroscopy, profilometry, and other analytical methods
- Configure and operate furnaces, vacuum hardware, compressed-gas systems, sensors, pumps, and data-acquisition equipment
- Support machining, welding, additive manufacturing, fabrication, and mechanical assembly activities
- Troubleshoot, maintain, and improve laboratory and manufacturing equipment
- Collect, organize, and summarize test data while maintaining accurate laboratory records
- Communicate equipment status, test results, and technical observations to engineers and project leadership
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, faculty, technologists, and technical staff
- Maintain clean, safe, and organized laboratory and work areas
Additional responsibilities for higher-level positions include:
- Independently plan and execute difficult or complex technical assignments
- Develop and improve laboratory procedures, test methods, fixtures, and equipment
- Coordinate laboratory activities and establish priorities within assigned technical areas
- Provide technical direction and guidance to less-experienced staff, students, and interns
- Lead defined technical tasks and communicate with project leadership, customers, vendors, and external partners
- Review completed work for technical accuracy, quality, and compliance with established requirements
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
- Past success utilizing laboratory, manufacturing, fabrication, mechanical testing, equipment operation, or maintenance activities
- Safe use of laboratory equipment, hand tools, measuring instruments, and fabrication equipment
- Identify and troubleshoot practical technical problems
- Follow technical drawings, procedures, specifications, or test standards
- Maintain organized and detailed laboratory records
- Express technical information clearly to drive understanding
- Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary, team-oriented cultures
- Laboratory and shop safety practices, including personal protective equipment, chemical handling, compressed gases, and waste disposal
Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:
- Materials processing, coatings, surface preparation, heat treatment, machining, welding, or additive manufacturing
- Mechanical, adhesion, wear, corrosion, hardness, roughness, thermal, or coating-thickness testing
- Optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, FTIR, XRD, profilometry, or other materials-characterization methods
- Furnaces, vacuum systems, compressed-gas systems, pumps, sensors, or data-acquisition equipment
- Computer-aided design and technical drawing software
- ASTM, military, or industry test standards
- Maintenance, troubleshooting, or modification of laboratory and manufacturing equipment
- 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, Mechanical (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Associate Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None If filled as Technical Engineering Specialist, Mechanical (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
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 $68,604.00 - $113,100.00.
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 6+ years of relevant experience for the Senior Professional level, or equivalent education and experience
- Associate degree and 4+ years of relevant experience for the Advanced Professional level, or equivalent education and experience
- Laboratory, manufacturing, fabrication, mechanical testing, equipment operation, or maintenance experience
- Safe use of laboratory equipment, hand tools, measuring instruments, and fabrication equipment
- Ability to identify and troubleshoot practical technical problems
- Ability to follow technical drawings, procedures, specifications, or test standards
- Ability to maintain organized and detailed laboratory records
- Ability to communicate technical information clearly
- Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary, team-oriented environments
- Laboratory and shop safety knowledge, including personal protective equipment, chemical handling, compressed gases, and waste disposal
- U.S. citizenship
- Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance
- Experience with materials processing, coatings, surface preparation, heat treatment, machining, welding, or additive manufacturing
- Experience with mechanical, adhesion, wear, corrosion, hardness, roughness, thermal, or coating-thickness testing
- Experience with optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, FTIR, XRD, profilometry, or other materials-characterization methods
- Experience with furnaces, vacuum systems, compressed-gas systems, pumps, sensors, or data-acquisition equipment
- Computer-aided design and technical drawing software experience
- Knowledge of ASTM, military, or industry test standards
- Maintenance, troubleshooting, or modification experience involving laboratory and manufacturing equipment
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at the 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.
