Research and Development Mechanical Engineer

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POSITION SPECIFICS ​

We are searching for a motivated and inquisitive Mechanical Engineer to join our Specialized Hardware and Rapid Prototyping Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. Lifecycle Engineering specializes in developing tangible solutions to maintenance and manufacturing problems in a shipyard/depot level environment. The mission of the Systems Engineering and Rapid Prototyping (SERP) Division is to provide full spectrum support for the research, evaluation, development, rapid prototyping, manufacturing, fielding, and testing of complex systems which support the warfighter and our nation’s defense. We support the mission of SERP by executing the research, design and application of engineering development and manufacturing methodologies supporting the strategic advancement of warfighter capability at the speed of relevance.

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

You Will:

Conduct independent and collaborative research, development, testing, and evaluation activities to solve complex scientific and engineering challenges supporting the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other 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

Design, develop, integrate, analyze, and evaluate complex hardware, software, embedded systems, sensors, communications systems, electromechanical systems, or other mission-critical technologies within assigned technical disciplines

Apply systems engineering principles throughout the project lifecycle, including requirements development, architecture definition, design trade studies, integration, verification, validation, risk management, and configuration management

Develop experimental plans, test procedures, data collection methodologies, and performance metrics; analyze results to identify technical issues, validate assumptions, and recommend design improvements

Support development of advanced prototypes and transition technologies from research concepts into operational capabilities for government sponsors

Prepare technical reports, engineering analyses, research publications, white papers, proposals, briefings, and sponsor deliverables documenting research methods, technical findings, and program status

Present technical information and research results to sponsors, program managers, technical review boards, and other internal and external stakeholders

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, software developers, technicians, and external research partners to accomplish program objectives

Ensure engineering activities comply with applicable sponsor requirements, engineering standards, quality requirements, cybersecurity policies, export control regulations, information assurance requirements, and laboratory security procedures

Support research conducted within Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified environments while safeguarding sensitive technical information and government-furnished data

Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:

Manage technical tasks and engineering projects of varying size and complexity, including responsibility for technical performance, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and risk management

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:

Past success designing, installing, and debugging automation and control systems in the field, including upgrading legacy hardware to modern standards

Willingness to learn new tools and technologies

Success in environments where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective and where problems are not initially defined

Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures

Preferred skills/experience areas include:

Professional Engineering license

Solidworks, Siemens NX, AutoCAD, Arduino

Familiarity with integrating various analog and digital sensing technologies

Previous Navy, IC, and other federal government customer exposure

Leading multi-disciplinary research engineers

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 located in State College, PA.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

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

If filled as R&D Engineer - Mechanical (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
5+ years of relevant experience
Required Certifications:
None

If filled as R&D Engineer - Mechanical (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
2+ 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.

Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL):
Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environmen