Hydro Controls & Fluid Dynamics R&D Engineer

Penn State; State College (Centre County); Hybrid; USD 106,000 - 231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Competitive retirement plans

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) seeks a Fluids Machinery Engineer to design, assemble, and operate complex test articles and experiments at ARL water tunnels and field sites. You will contribute to vehicle control concepts and external hydrodynamics, applying fluid dynamics expertise within multidisciplinary teams.

The role requires strong aerodynamics background, hands-on experimental work, and a proven ability to communicate and present results to professionals.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Strong background in aerodynamics or fluid mechanics.
• Experience with flight dynamics and controls beyond undergraduate coursework (to include relevant work experience)
• Proven ability to communicate effectively in a professional environment.
• Excellent presentation skills to convey results to stakeholders.
• Experience collaborating in a diverse, multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to design, assembly, and operation of complex test articles and experiments at ARL water tunnels, government facilities, and field sites.
• Perform design and analysis of vehicle control concepts, flight dynamics, and external hydrodynamics or aerodynamics at multiple system levels.
• Provide SME in fluid dynamics as part of multidisciplinary teams on well-defined questions and problems.
• Perform hands-on work in preparation and execution of fluid dynamic experiments.
• Interact with engineers, researchers, and faculty to present technical results.
• Lead design and execution of experiments at higher level positions; manage small to moderate projects.
• Collaboratively develop, write, and submit proposals for funded research.
• Author/co-author reports, presentations, and papers.
• Maintain and cultivate external research relationships.

Skills

Fluid dynamics

Aerodynamics

Flight dynamics & controls

Hands-on experimentation

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master’s or Ph.D. (preferred)

Tools

Solid modeling / CAD

MATLAB

Simulink

Job description

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) seeks a Fluids Machinery Engineer to design, assemble, and operate complex test articles and experiments at ARL water tunnels and field sites. You will contribute to vehicle control concepts and external hydrodynamics, applying fluid dynamics expertise within multidisciplinary teams.

The role requires strong aerodynamics background, hands-on experimental work, and a proven ability to communicate and present results to professionals.