Mechanical​/Materials Engineer

We are searching for talented and motivated Mechanical Engineers to join the High Performance Materials and Processing Department (HPMP) of 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-Penn State has a decades long reputation of excellence and demonstrated history of developing systems and technologies currently used by the US Navy and industry.

ARL is an authorized DoD Skill Bridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

• Use accepted methods and techniques to assist with the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems
• Contribute data/findings for use in technical reports, documents, or oral/written presentations
• Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members, engineers, and scientists to accomplish organizational goals; may provide ideas to improve efficiency at group.
• Program management of multi-year research programs, tracking deliverables, milestones, and resource allocation
• Present research, designs, and findings internally to engineers and scientists as well as externally to sponsors and research partners
• Aid in the design, fabrication, and testing of advanced material systems across ceramics, metals, and ceramic/metal matrix composites; work spans design and analysis, process development and optimization, and characterization and testing, with opportunities to contribute from concept through prototype and validation

• Ability to manage a laboratory space
• Direct work of lower-level staff and undergraduate students
• Investigate and evaluate applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles in the development and improvement of engineering systems
• Initiate or contribute data/analysis/design for technical reports, documents, proposals, or oral/written presentations
• Author/co-author papers, proposals, presentations, and reports

• 5+ years of understanding basic engineering principles and applying them to real-world problems
• Ability to facilitate the overall design process including conception, analysis, building, and testing of mechanical systems
• Ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary team environment
• Have excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• 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

• Prior work in hypersonics, aerospace, and propulsion technologies
• Ceramic and metallurgical engineering for high temperature environments
• Defense manufacturing technology development
• Prototyping, hardware manufacturing, and rapid design iteration
• NX and Solidworks
• Abaqus, COMSOL, Ansys, and Matlab
• Mechanical/Electrical design and troubleshooting
• Past success presenting work to sponsors and technical audiences
• Materials characterization using techniques including optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and optical profilometry
• Working knowledge of vacuum system pumps, controls, electrical requirements, design, and integration of components
• Preferred degrees could include:
  Mechanical Engineer, Aerospace engineering, Process Engineering, and Material Science Engineering

Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position will require periodic travel to remote locations in support of testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers, and technologists.