About this role
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
- ## CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- ## 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 .
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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 located in State College, PA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.
We are searching for a motivated Materials Research and Development Engineer 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 experimental research, engineering analysis, prototype development, materials testing, and the transition of new technologies into practical applications. The successful candidate will apply engineering principles and scientific methods to solve materials and manufacturing challenges 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:
- Conduct collaborative research, development, testing, and evaluation activities under the guidance of experienced technical staff
- Investigate and evaluate materials, coatings, manufacturing processes, and component performance
- Develop experimental plans, test procedures, data-collection methods, and performance metrics
- Design or support the design of prototypes, test fixtures, experimental systems, and process equipment
- Conduct mechanical, thermal, environmental, and surface-property testing
- Perform materials characterization using microscopy, spectroscopy, profilometry, and other analytical methods
- Analyze experimental data to identify trends, technical issues, and opportunities for improvement
- Apply engineering principles and scientific methods to recommend changes to materials, processes, equipment, or test methods
- Operate and support materials-processing, coating, heat-treatment, surface-preparation, and testing equipment
- Support additive manufacturing, machining, welding, fabrication, and mechanical assembly activities
- Troubleshoot experimental equipment and help resolve process or instrumentation problems
- Prepare technical reports, presentations, test plans, and other project documentation
- Collaborate with engineers, scientists, faculty, technical staff, government customers, and industry partners
- Support prototype demonstrations, customer evaluations, manufacturing activities, and technology-transition efforts
- Maintain technical knowledge through literature reviews, professional development, and awareness of emerging materials and manufacturing technologies
Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:
- Support development of advanced prototypes and transition technologies from research concepts into operational capabilities for government sponsors
- Prepare technical reports, engineering analyses, research publications, white papers, proposals, briefings, and sponsor deliverables documenting research methods, technical findings, and program status
- Present technical information and research results to sponsors, program managers, technical review boards, and other internal and external stakeholders
- Manage technical tasks and engineering projects of varying size and complexity, including responsibility for technical performance, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and risk management
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, software developers, technicians, and external research partners to accomplish program objectives
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
- Engineering principles and scientific methods applicable to materials, manufacturing, mechanical systems, chemistry, or physics
- Experimental work, engineering analysis, materials processing, manufacturing, or testing gained through coursework, internships, research, military service, employment, or independent projects
- Demonstrated ability to define a technical problem, evaluate information, and formulate a logical approach to solving it
- Collect, organize, analyze, and interpret technical data
- Past success providing technical ideas in written form for clear comprehension
- Ability to express ideas successfully to drive understanding
- Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary, team-oriented cultures
- Laboratory safety practices, including personal protective equipment, chemical handling, compressed gases, and waste disposal
Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:
- Materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, welding engineering, manufacturing engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, or a related discipline
- Coatings, surface engineering, heat treatment, additive manufacturing, machining, welding, or materials processing
- Mechanical, corrosion, adhesion, wear, thermal, or environmental testing
- Optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, FTIR, XRD, profilometry, or other materials-characterization methods
- Experimental design, statistical analysis, computer-aided design, data-acquisition systems, or engineering analysis software
- Preparation of technical reports, presentations, research summaries, or test plans
- ASTM, military, or industry test standards
- 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 - Materials (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 - Materials (ARL) - Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
No prior relevant work experience required
Required Certifications:
None
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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.
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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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