Materials R&D Engineer — Polymers & Composites

Penn State University; State College, Northern (Centre County, KY); Hybrid; USD 122,000 - 266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) in State College, PA is seeking a Materials Research and Development Engineer to advance polymer composites, elastomers, and multi-material structures for defense and industrial applications.

You will lead design, fabrication, testing, and documentation, mentor teammates, and collaborate across disciplines while complying with safety and security requirements; on-site position with periodic travel.

Qualifications

• Polymer structure-property relationships and the ability to produce new thermoset materials with specific properties.
• Thermoset elastomer development.
• Process development of prototype structures.
• Past success utilizing a wide range of materials characterization techniques including mechanical property testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and chemical analysis.
• Understanding of relationships between composition, microstructure, processing, and material properties.
• Polymer processing and characterization methods.
• Testing and characterization methods for composite materials.
• Project engineering or management.
• Past success providing ideas in written form for clear comprehension.
• Successful collaborations in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures.

Responsibilities

• Support the research, design, development, and fabrication of advanced polymer and composite structures for defense and industrial applications.
• Perform and support fabrication, characterization, testing, and evaluation activities while ensuring technical quality and accuracy.
• Apply sound engineering judgment, critical thinking, and attention to detail to solve technical challenges and support project objectives.
• Contribute to white papers, technical proposals, project plans, customer meetings, and other business development initiatives.
• Lead and manage technical tasks, proposals, and research projects while serving as a Task Lead or Principal Investigator, as appropriate.
• Present technical findings, project updates, and recommendations to sponsors, customers, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain test plans, procedures, bills of materials, technical reports, presentations, and other formal project documentation.
• Execute assigned work in accordance with written and verbal instructions while proactively identifying and communicating technical issues and risks.
• Provide regular project status updates and technical progress reports to Principal Investigators, project leadership, and engineering staff.
• Collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams to achieve project goals and technical milestones.
• Demonstrate initiative by seeking guidance, sharing knowledge, and engaging with supervisors and team members to ensure project success.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and compliant laboratory environment while adhering to established safety procedures and best practice.

Skills

Polymer structure-property

Thermoset elastomer

Prototype process development

Materials characterization techniques

Composition-microstructure-property

Polymer processing

Composite testing methods

Project engineering

Written communication

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Safety and compliance

Team leadership

Customer engagement

Defense project experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science

Tools

None specified

Job description

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) in State College, PA is seeking a Materials Research and Development Engineer to advance polymer composites, elastomers, and multi-material structures for defense and industrial applications.

You will lead design, fabrication, testing, and documentation, mentor teammates, and collaborate across disciplines while complying with safety and security requirements; on-site position with periodic travel.