Research and Development Mechanical Engineer

Penn State University; Ferguson Township (PA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

DoD SkillBridge partner

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) SHARP is seeking Mechanical Engineers to design and analyze engineering systems for DoD sponsors. The role involves contributing to concept development, modeling, testing, and field validation in a state College, PA environment.

Ideal candidates bring multi-disciplinary collaboration, strong problem solving, and hands-on fabrication experience with lathes, welders, and mills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Assist or manage concept development and participate in design analyses of engineering systems.

Skills

Multi-disciplinary collaboration

Proactive learner

Technical writing

Problem solving

Automation & control systems

Prototype fabrication

Field testing

Mentoring juniors

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Lathes

Welders

Mills

Soldering

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.

We are searching for talented and motivated Mechanical Engineers to join the Specialized Hardware and Rapid Prototyping Department (SHARP) of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. We are seeking an individual with knowledge across a range of competencies including developing tangible solutions to maintenance and manufacturing problems in a shipyard/depot level environment. ARL has a decades long reputation of excellence and demonstrated history of developing systems and technologies currently used by the US Navy and Industry.

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

You will:

• Assist or manage concept development and participate in the design analyses of engineering systems independently evaluating, selecting, and applying scientific or engineering procedures and techniques
• Recognize discrepancies/identify problems and related technical issues leading to long term, generic solutions; identify technical approach for solving problems and meeting customer needs
• Perform tasks of a moderate to larger scope and lead specific tasks within the project scope; assemble and collaborate with research team members to work on specific research areas
• Initiate, contribute to, or author/co-author papers, technical proposals, presentations, and reports; present as necessary
• Conduct independent and collaborative research, development, testing, and evaluation activities to solve complex scientific and engineering challenges supporting Department of Defense sponsors and national security missions
• Investigate, evaluate, and apply established and emerging engineering principles, scientific methodologies, and advanced technologies to develop innovative technical solutions
• Plan, perform, and lead analytical studies, modeling and simulation, laboratory experimentation, field testing, and prototype demonstrations to validate engineering concepts and system performance

Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:

• Collaborate with and provide technical leadership to other team members to accomplish organizational goals; provide innovative ideas to improve organizational efficiency at group and department levels
• Support research conducted within Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified environments while safeguarding sensitive technical information and government-furnished data
• Participate in technology transition activities, including system integration, operational demonstrations, customer evaluations, manufacturing support, and field implementation
• Identify technical risks and develop mitigation strategies to improve program execution, system performance, reliability, maintainability, and mission effectiveness
• Initiate and contribute to business development activities through technical concept development, customer engagement, proposal preparation, Independent Research and Development (IRAD) initiatives, and strategic technology planning
• Mentor and provide technical leadership to junior engineers, engineering technologists, engineering support personnel, interns, and students
• Maintain technical expertise through continued professional development, participation in technical working groups, awareness of emerging technologies, and engagement with the defense research community

Required skills/experience areas include :

• Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures
• Candidates should be inquisitive, proactive, and interested in learning new tools, and technologies
• Past success providing ideas in written form for clear comprehension
• Past success working in an environment where problems are often not initially well-defined
• Designing, installing, and debugging automation and control systems in the field, including upgrading legacy hardware to modern standards
• Past success working both in an office and shop environment fabricating prototype equipment
• Past success safely using large fabrication equipment including lathes, welders, mills, and soldering irons
• Generating