Electrical Engineering Support Specialist

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State invites applications for an Engineering Support Specialist in the Electronic Materials and Devices Department (EMDD). The role supports R&D activities in materials processing, characterization, and device fabrication in a state-of-the-art lab.

This on-site position in State College, PA requires hands-on experience with materials characterization, sample preparation, and safe lab practices, plus strong communication and teamwork to drive project

Qualifications

• Sample preparation and materials characterization techniques.
• Laboratory safety practices including PPE, chemical handling, waste disposal, etc.
• Success maintaining organized and detailed documentation.
• Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint familiarity.
• Ability to express ideas clearly to drive understanding.
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced team environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct materials characterization (e.g., microscopy, spectroscopy, XRD).
• Prepare and polish samples.
• Operate furnaces/reactors; monitor materials growth and synthesis processes.
• Perform device fabrication in a cleanroom environment.
• Carry out electrical characterization and device testing.
• Support routine equipment maintenance.
• Provide input on technical approaches and processing conditions.
• Ensure equipment is operated safely and in compliance with safety standards.

Skills

Sample preparation

Materials characterization

Laboratory safety

Documentation

MS Office

Communication

Teamwork

Idea communication

Tools

CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD)

Vacuum systems

High-temperature crystal growth equipment

Cleanroom equipment

Job description

We are searching for an Engineering Support Specialist for the Electronic Materials and Devices Department (EMDD) at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. EMDD is a vertically integrated lab with key areas of focus including wide/ultrawide bandgap (WBG/UWBG) semiconductors, sensors, ceramics, laser processing, and additive manufacturing (AM). This position will directly support research and development (R&D) efforts in the areas of electronic materials processing, testing/characterization, semiconductor device fabrication, sample preparation, polishing, and materials growth/synthesis.

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

You will:

• Conduct materials characterization (e.g., microscopy, spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction)
• Prepare and polish samples
• Operate furnaces/reactors; monitor materials growth and synthesis processes
• Perform device fabrication in a cleanroom environment
• Carry out electrical characterization and device testing
• Support routine equipment maintenance
• Provide input on technical approaches and processing conditions
• Ensure equipment is operated safely and in compliance with safety standards

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

• Sample preparation and materials characterization techniques
• Laboratory safety practices, including PPE, chemical handling, waste disposal, etc.
• Success maintaining organized and detailed documentation
• Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to express ideas successfully to drive understanding
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced team environment

Preferred skills/experience include:

• OM, SEM, EDS, XRD, AFM, or other materials characterization techniques
• Lithography, evaporation, sputtering, dry etching, wet etching, or other device processing steps in a cleanroom environment
• Vacuum systems/hardware and familiarly with high temperature crystal growth equipment
• Semiconductor devices and methods
• Additive manufacturing/3D printing tools
• CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, etc.)

Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA.