Electrical R&D Engineer

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory seeks an Electrical Engineer for the Deployables and Undersea Connectivity (DUC) Department. The role focuses on designing and maintaining underwater electronic systems, RF, fiber, and wireless interfaces for both manned and unmanned vehicles.

You will work with a team to solve complex problems, update existing test systems, and communicate progress to sponsors and project managers. Some travel to remote locations may be required.

Qualifications

• Experience with electronics testing and troubleshooting across RF, digital and analog circuits.
• Proven ability in circuit design, schematic capture and PCB layout.
• Embedded computing, microcontrollers, FPGA and firmware development.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, operate, and maintain circuits for underwater test vehicles and facilities.
• Collaborate with engineers to solve complex technical problems and deliver solutions.
• Update and maintain test and evaluation systems for reliability.
• Meet with sponsors and PIs to define requirements and schedules.
• Provide progress reports and coordinate resources for tasks.

Skills

Electronics testing

Digital & analog circuit design

Schematic capture

PCB layout

Microcontrollers

FPGA

Embedded computing

Firmware development

Test systems

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science

5+ years of relevant experience

2+ years of relevant experience (intermediate)

Tools

LabVIEW

MATLAB

SolidWorks

NX

Xilinx Vivado

Xilinx Vitis

Microchip MPLAB

Git

CAN

Serial

UDP

SSH

SCPI

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

Your working location will be fully on-site in State College, PA. This position will require periodic travel to remote locations.

We are searching for an Electrical Engineer to join our Deployables and Undersea Connectivity (DUC) Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. The mission of the DUC Department is to develop and mature technical methods and devices to connect platforms in the undersea domain, as well as, bridge to above the sea-air boundary, support tethered and untethered communication techniques between stationary or moving undersea platforms, and employ these capabilities to solve the most challenging undersea communications problems.

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

You will:

• Design, build, operate, and maintain electrical, RF, fiber optic, and/or WiFi based circuits for integration in manned and unmanned underwater test vehicles or peripheral test facilities and equipment
• Work with a team of engineers and technicians to creatively evaluate and design solutions to complex technical problems
• Update, modernize, and maintain existing test and evaluation systems to ensure reliable operation
• Meet with sponsors, faculty and staff engineers to define the scope of task requirements and schedule constraints
• Communicate with Principal Investigators (PIs) and project managers to provide progress reports
• Facilitate the identification of resources needed to accomplish the task/project

Additional responsibilities for higher-level position may include:

• Manage projects of small or moderate size and scope; make substantial contributions to determining feasibility of goals and objectives; responsible for assuring quality, cost effectiveness and timeliness of assigned projects
• Plan and perform tasks of a larger scope and lead specific tasks within the project scope; assemble research team members
• Manage multiple or large projects; plan, schedule, conduct or coordinate detailed phases of the work of a major project
• Provide innovative problem-solving approaches to enhance organizational capabilities; use peer network to expand technical capabilities and identify new research opportunities
• Understand broad strategic objectives and contribute to them; nurture and maintain relationships with major customers/grantors of external research and development grant funding

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

• Candidates should have experience with electronics and electrical testing and troubleshooting, digital and analog circuit design, schematic creation, PCB layout, microcontrollers, FPGA, embedded computing, firmware development and test systems
• Heavy emphasis on problem solving skills, identifying technical issues that can be addressed for long-term success. Ability to provide technical rigor and discipline to problem solving process
• Effective communication and teamwork skills demonstrated by conveying information and collaborating with others to drive decisions toward action

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:

• Support field testing of vehicles and test platforms which could include travel to support test events.
• LabVIEW, Matlab, Solidworks, NX, Xilinx Vivado, Xilinx Vitis, Micropchip MPLAB, Git, CAN, Serial, UDP comms, SSH, SCPI and interfaces
• Ability to learn and work across disciplines (mechanical, electrical, software, logistics) in a small team environment of engineers, technicians, and US Navy personnel
• Very high attention to detail
• 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 - Electrical (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Required Certifications:
• None

If filled as R&D Engineer - Electrical (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
• 2+ years of relevant experience
• Required Certifications:
• None

ARL's purpose is to