Senior Mechanical R&D Engineer, Defense Sustainment

The Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition discount (75%)

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University’s ARL in State College, PA seeks a senior Mechanical Engineer to lead sponsor engagement and ground vehicle sustainment research within the Vehicle Investigation & Cybersecurity Division. You will shape R&D direction, guide teams, and strengthen DoD relationships to advance cyber‑secure maintenance and readiness analytics.

Ideal candidates have 19+ years in military engineering, a Bachelor’s in engineering or science, and a proven defense R&D track record.

Qualifications

• Senior NCO, Warrant Officer, or Commissioned Officer experience within U.S. military Engineer, Motor Transport, or Ordnance communities.
• Military acquisition process, including requirements development and sustainment integration.
• Ground vehicle operations, including both vehicle systems and associated IT/logistics support systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development and sponsor engagement for vehicle sustainment and cybersecurity research portfolios.
• Maintain and expand strategic relationships with military stakeholders, especially within the USMC, Army, and joint logistics communities.
• Provide subject‑matter expertise on military ground vehicle operations, sustainment processes, and enabling IT systems.
• Shape research directions by translating operational sustainment challenges into actionable R&D objectives.
• Support and guide project teams in vehicle investigation, readiness analytics, cyber‑secure maintenance operations, and related technologies.
• Mentor staff in sponsor engagement, program execution, and operational sustainment concepts.
• Serve as an advisor on military acquisition pathways and requirements processes relevant to sustainment technologies.
• Contribute to proposal development, program planning, and strategic road‑mapping for ASTD

Skills

Military leadership

Sponsor engagement

Ground vehicle ops

Proposal development

Communication to stakeholders

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science

Job description

The Pennsylvania State University’s ARL in State College, PA seeks a senior Mechanical Engineer to lead sponsor engagement and ground vehicle sustainment research within the Vehicle Investigation & Cybersecurity Division. You will shape R&D direction, guide teams, and strengthen DoD relationships to advance cyber‑secure maintenance and readiness analytics.

Ideal candidates have 19+ years in military engineering, a Bachelor’s in engineering or science, and a proven defense R&D track record.