Advanced Materials R&D Engineer – Prototyping & Testing

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University; University Park (AL); On-site; USD 92,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University seeks an R&D Engineer - Materials to lead and support research in materials, coatings, and manufacturing processes on-site in State College, PA, with periodic travel to remote sites. You will design experiments, evaluate materials, and develop test plans within a multidisciplinary team.

Minimum education is a Bachelor's in Engineering or Science, with 2+ years of relevant experience preferred.

Qualifications

• 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

Responsibilities

• Conduct collaborative research, development, testing, and evaluation activities under guidance of experienced 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

Skills

Materials science

Engineering analysis

Data interpretation

Technical reporting

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science

Job description

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University seeks an R&D Engineer - Materials to lead and support research in materials, coatings, and manufacturing processes on-site in State College, PA, with periodic travel to remote sites. You will design experiments, evaluate materials, and develop test plans within a multidisciplinary team.

Minimum education is a Bachelor's in Engineering or Science, with 2+ years of relevant experience preferred.