R&D Mechanical Engineer - Defense Prototyping

Applied Research Laboratory at the Penn State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 106,000 - 231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

75% tuition discount

Job summary

Applied Research Laboratory at the Penn State University in State College, PA seeks a Mechanical Engineer to support the SERP Division in rapid prototyping and hardware development for Navy, IC, and DoD missions. The role involves research, design, testing, and transition of complex systems to operational capabilities.

The position emphasizes collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, adherence to sponsor requirements, and safeguarding sensitive information with DoD clearance eligibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or science is required.
• Experience designing and debugging automation and control systems.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to learn new tools and technologies.
• U.S. citizenship and security clearance eligibility required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent and collaborative research, development, testing, and evaluation activities to solve complex challenges.
• Investigate and apply engineering principles and advanced technologies for innovative solutions.
• Plan and lead analytical studies, modeling, simulation, lab experiments, and demonstrations.
• Design, develop, integrate, analyze hardware, software, embedded systems, sensors, and electromechanical components.
• Apply systems engineering across requirements, architecture, design trades, verification, and risk management.
• Develop experimental plans, data collection methods, and performance metrics; analyze results.
• Support development of prototypes and transition technologies for sponsors.
• Prepare technical reports, analyses, and sponsor deliverables documenting methods and results.
• Present technical information to sponsors, program managers, and review boards.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, software developers, technicians, and partners.
• Ensure activities comply with sponsor requirements, standards, cybersecurity, export controls, and information assurance.
• Support research in unclassified, CUI, and classified environments while safeguarding data.

Skills

Automation & control systems

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Willingness to learn

Defense research experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science

Tools

SolidWorks

Siemens NX

AutoCAD

Arduino

Job description

Applied Research Laboratory at the Penn State University in State College, PA seeks a Mechanical Engineer to support the SERP Division in rapid prototyping and hardware development for Navy, IC, and DoD missions. The role involves research, design, testing, and transition of complex systems to operational capabilities.

The position emphasizes collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, adherence to sponsor requirements, and safeguarding sensitive information with DoD clearance eligibility.