Research and Development Engineer - System Sustainment

Penn State University; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory seeks a highly analytical R&D Engineer to advance data-driven reliability analytics for Navy and DoD sponsors. The role emphasizes ML, predictive maintenance, and cross‑functional collaboration, with on‑site training in State College, PA and later hybrid work. DoD SkillBridge eligibility is noted.

Responsibilities include developing pipelines, dashboards, and documentation, plus mentoring teams and contributing to proposals and reports.

Qualifications

• Experience solving complex analytical or engineering problems using structured methodologies.
• Failure analysis, reliability engineering, or predictive analytics background.
• Proficiency with Python, R, SQL or similar languages.
• Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of analytic methods including ML, anomaly detection, predictivemaintenance models and network analyses.
• Develop and evaluate reliability and failure models for naval/defense systems.
• Translate findings into clear recommendations for technical and executive audiences.
• Build and document data pipelines, analytics tools, dashboards, and cloud environments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on readiness assessments and engineering changes.
• Contribute to research proposals, technical reports and customer deliverables.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance across multidisciplinary teams.
• Lead major research thrusts and develop strategic direction in data-driven reliability.

Skills

Analytical problem solving

Reliability engineering

Predictive analytics

Python

R

SQL

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science

Graduate degree in Computational Science / Applied Data Science

Tools

Python

R

SQL

Cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure)

Job description

Approval of remote and hybrid work 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 searching for a highly analytical, systems‑focused Research and Development Engineer to join the Applied Sustainment Technologies Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. Our division supports mission‑critical research for the Navy and other federal sponsors, advancing data‑driven decision tools, predictive models, and engineering solutions that enhance reliability, readiness, and operational performance. This role will lead the development of data science methods, predictive maintenance analytics, and engineering assessments with direct impact on ARL customers.

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

You will:

• Lead development of analytic methods including machine learning, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance models, and network or system‑level analyses
• Develop and evaluate reliability and failure models for complex naval or defense‑related systems
• Translate complex technical findings into clear, actionable recommendations for technical and executive audiences
• Build, validate, and document data pipelines, analytic tools, dashboards, and modernization processes, including cloud‑based environments (AWS/GCP/Azure)
• Engage with cross‑functional engineering teams to support system readiness assessments, configuration analysis, and engineering change evaluations
• Contribute to research proposals, technical reports, and customer deliverables
• Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and collaboration across multidisciplinary project teams

Additional responsibilities for higher‑level roles:

• Lead major research thrusts, serve as principal investigator, and/or oversee integrated engineering programs
• Develop strategic technical direction in data‑driven reliability engineering and advanced analytics

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

• Past success solving complex analytical or engineering problems, using structured methodologies to reach effective, defendable solutions
• Failure analysis, reliability engineering, or predictive analytics
• Technical computing or analytics languages such as Python, R, SQL, or similar
• Success in environments where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective Experience collaborating in multi‑disciplinary, team‑oriented cultures

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, Azure), containerization, version control, or data engineering tools
• Naval systems engineering, system readiness evaluation, or lifecycle maintenance analysis
• Graduate degree in Computational Science, Engineering Management, Applied Data Science, or related fields
• 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

Your working location will be fully on‑site to start for training located in State College, PA, then a hybrid of on‑site/work from home based on project‑dependent ability. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

• If filled as R&D Engineer - Data Science (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires:
  Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
  19+ years of relevant experience
  Required Certifications: None
• If filled as R&D Engineer - Data Science (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires:
  Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
  14+ years of relevant experience
  Required Certifications: None

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). For further information on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

• Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Employees must be eli