Technical Engineering Specialist, Electrical

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) Deployables and Undersea Connectivity (DUC) Department seeks Technical Engineering Specialists for on-site work in State College, PA, with periodic travel to remote locations.

The role involves assembly, testing, data collection, and documentation to support undersea communications research.

Qualifications

• Associate degree required with 4+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Electro-mechanical assembly, testing, and troubleshooting experience.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and assembly procedures.
• DoD Secret level eligibility may be required for this role.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, fabricate, inspect, test, and calibrate equipment as directed.
• Assist in design and layout of facility/test equipment and document procedures.
• Evaluate materials against specs and identify system faults; repair as directed.
• Support data collection, storage, and archiving of test results in lab or field.

Skills

Electro-mechanical assembly

Engineering drawing interpretation

Troubleshooting

Test procedures

Documentation writing

Microsoft Office

Education

Associate Degree

Tools

OTDR

Power meter

Fusion splicing

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

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

We are searching for Technical Engineering Specialists to join our Deployables and Undersea Connectivity (DUC) Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. The mission of the DUC Department is to develop and mature technical methods and devices to connect platforms in the undersea domain, as well as, bridge to above the sea-air boundary, support tethered and untethered communication techniques between stationary or moving undersea platforms, and employ these capabilities to solve the most challenging undersea communications problems.

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

You will:

• Perform assembly operations and fabrication of facility and test equipment
• Provide input to and perform design and layout of standard facility and test equipment as directed
• Inspect, test, and calibrate parts and equipment as directed
• Evaluate the selection of materials and components based on operational and performance specifications
• Assess and identify system faults, and adjust and repair as directed
• Assist senior technical/engineering staff in gathering, compiling, and archiving test data in the laboratory or in the field
• May work as part of a test project support team, including selected task leadership roles, in the laboratory, or in the field
• May develop and provide documentation for task procedures and process evaluation

Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:

• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, project managers, machinists, technologists, and other technical personnel to coordinate project activities, schedules, resource requirements, and technical solutions
• Participate in multidisciplinary laboratory and field test activities, including data collection, system monitoring, and post-test analysis support
• Develop, maintain, and improve technical procedures, assembly instructions, test procedures, maintenance documentation, and laboratory operating practices to support repeatability, quality, and operational efficiency
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by recommending enhancements to fabrication processes, laboratory operations, testing methods, equipment reliability, and workflow efficiency
• Assist in compiling, organizing, safeguarding, and archiving technical documentation, test data, calibration records, and project deliverables in accordance with laboratory records management and sponsor requirements
• May provide technical guidance and task direction to less experienced engineering support personnel, students, or temporary staff during laboratory or field activities

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

• Highly capable in complex electro-mechanical component, sub-system and system assembly, disassembly, inspection, testing, design, and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrate the ability to interpret engineering drawings and adherence to detailed electro-mechanical assembly procedures.

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:

• Test & troubleshoot fiber optic cables and assemblies using OTDR and/or power meter
• Past success performing mechanical or fusion splices, terminate connectors and inspect various fiber optic cable and connector components
• Very high attention to detail
• Proficient writing skills to prepare test procedures and reports
• Microsoft Office
• 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

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as Technical Engineering Specialist, Electrical (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:

• Associate Degree
• 4+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications:
• None

If filled as Technical Engineering Specialist, Electrical (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:

• Associate Degree
• 2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and e