Non-Destructive Inspection Engineer/Material Scientist (Faculty)

The Pennsylvania State University

State College (Centre County)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 120,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Robust retirement plans
75% tuition discount for employees and eligible family members

Job summary

A leading university in the United States is seeking a Non-Destructive Inspection Engineer/Material Scientist to join its Applied Research Laboratory. This position involves contributing to advanced materials research and development, conducting experiments, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will possess a Master’s degree and relevant experience in materials development and optimization. A competitive benefits package is included, reflecting the commitment to employee wellbeing.

Qualifications

  • Master’s degree required with 1 year related experience.
  • Experience with nondestructive techniques and data analysis.
  • Ability to work well in a team-oriented culture.
  • Proposal and technical writing skills.
  • Exceptional problem-solving skills and creative thinking.

Responsibilities

  • Contribute to the design and development of engineering products.
  • Conduct experiments and tests to validate theories.
  • Collaborate with team members to achieve technical goals.
  • Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies, and follow operations through detailed steps or processes.
  • Conduct experiments/tests in the laboratory/field to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions.
  • Initiate or contribute data, analysis, and design for use in technical reports, proposals, papers, or oral/written presentations.
  • Manage projects of varying size and scope, including technical elements, budget/schedule implications, and sponsor communication.
  • Collaborate with team members, engineers, and scientists to accomplish organizational goals.
  • Provide innovative problem-solving approaches to enhance organizational capabilities.
  • Initiate or contribute to business development activities (e.g., white papers, proposals).
  • Supervise lower-level staff and undergraduate students.
  • Work with engineers in other technical areas across ARL.
  • Develop proposals and projects.

Skills

Materials inspection development
Static and fatigue mechanical testing
Multi-disciplinary teamwork
Proposal writing skills
Problem-solving skills
Structural health monitoring
Data analysis
Proposal writing
Technical writing

Education

Master’s degree in an Engineering or Science Discipline

Job description

Non-Destructive Inspection Engineer/Material Scientist (Faculty)

United States, Pennsylvania, University Park

Application Instructions
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student): login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here.
  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university): login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here.
  • FOR ALL OTHER CANDIDATES: click "Apply" and complete the external application process.

Remote and hybrid work approval is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

Position Specifics

We are seeking scientists and engineers to join the Polymer Composite Manufacturing Department of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. As part of a technical team engaged in engineering and technology needs, you will support the research and development of new materials, innovative material system designs, and novel fabrication and testing methods. This includes composites (fiber‑reinforced polymers, ceramic matrix composites, metal matrix composites), elastomers, additively manufactured polymers, and ceramics as well as emergent technologies.

The Polymer Composites Fabrication Department focuses on development and optimization of materials processes for research, prototype development, and transition to implementation. Advanced inspection technologies and operational health monitoring represent vital capabilities to achieve and maintain our historical implementations.

These positions can be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non‑tenure Research Faculty. Faculty rank will be commensurate with education and experience. Minimum requirements: Master’s degree in an Engineering or Science Discipline and 1 year related experience.

Responsibilities
  • Contribute to the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems.
  • Investigate and evaluate practical applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles to develop and improve various engineering systems.
  • Identify technical approaches for solving problems and meeting customer/sponsor needs.
  • Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies, and follow operations through detailed steps or processes.
  • Conduct experiments/tests in the laboratory/field to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions.
  • Initiate or contribute data, analysis, and design for use in technical reports, proposals, papers, or oral/written presentations.
  • Manage projects of varying size and scope, including technical elements, budget/schedule implications, and sponsor communication.
  • Collaborate with team members, engineers, and scientists to accomplish organizational goals.
  • Provide innovative problem‑solving approaches to enhance organizational capabilities.
  • Initiate or contribute to business development activities (e.g., white papers, proposals).
  • Supervise lower‑level staff and undergraduate students.
  • Work with engineers in other technical areas across ARL.
  • Develop proposals and projects.
Required Skills and Experience
  • Materials inspection development and optimization, including nondestructive technique selection, process monitoring optimization, and prototype development.
  • Static and fatigue mechanical testing related to structural health monitoring, data analysis, and nondestructive inspection for a range of geometries from material coupons to full‑scale hardware including instrumentation.
  • Ability to work in a multi‑disciplinary, team‑oriented culture.
  • Proposal and technical writing skills.
  • Exceptional problem‑solving skills and creative thinking.

Positions are located on‑site in State College, PA. Questions about flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

About ARL

ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC). ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply. For more information, visit www.arl.psu.edu.

Background Checks / Clearances

Employment with the University requires successful completion of background checks in accordance with University policies. All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment at ARL also requires a successful pre‑employment drug screen.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. This includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, robust retirement plans, and a generous 75% tuition discount for employees, eligible spouses, and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

Campus Security Crime Statistics

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO Is the Law

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814‑865‑1473.

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