Mechanical Research and Development Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University•University Park, FL

1d•$105,900 - $200,808•Onsite

About The Position

Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) is seeking Mechanical Engineers to join its Deployables and Undersea Connectivity (DUC) Department. The department develops technical methods and devices for connecting platforms in the undersea domain and across the sea-air boundary, supporting communications between stationary or moving undersea platforms, and addressing challenging undersea communications problems. The position focuses on designing, analyzing, building, and testing mechanical components and systems for undersea applications. The position is fully on-site in State College, Pennsylvania, and requires periodic travel to remote locations. Depending on the level at which the role is filled, higher-level responsibilities may include developing mechanical testing methods and laboratory experiments, mentoring less-experienced staff, and performing modeling, subsystem integration, or interface analysis. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and eligible to obtain a government security clearance. Employment requires background checks and participation in ARL's drug testing program, as well as compliance with applicable electronic and physical monitoring requirements. The salary range across all possible grades is $105,900 to $200,808. Penn State offers full-time employees medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid holidays, vacation and sick time, and a 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible spouses and children.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Science.
At least 2 years of relevant experience for the Intermediate Professional level, or at least 5 years for the Advanced Professional level.
Knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T ANSI Y14.5).
Experience with Abaqus or similar advanced finite element analysis software.
Past success with multi-material assemblies and integrated system architectures.
Experience with 3D CAD design and engineering drawing development; Siemens NX is preferred.
Experience designing machined components and subsystems.
Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings.
Ability to complete free-body diagrams and use hand calculations to calculate forces and resultant stresses on structures.
Ability to develop test plans and procedures; strong written communication skills.
U.S. citizenship.
Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance and comply with ARL background-check, drug-testing, and monitoring requirements.

Nice To Haves

Siemens NX experience.
Experience supporting field testing of vehicles and test platforms, including travel to test events.
Knowledge of structural or thermal finite element analysis.
Experience packaging electromechanical assemblies.
Ability to learn and work across mechanical, electrical, software, and logistics disciplines in a small team of engineers, technicians, and U.S. military personnel.
Attention to detail.
Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher; clearance eligibility may be subject to a government background investigation for an upgrade, if required.

Responsibilities

Analyze requirements, identify problems, and develop innovative solutions.
Design structures, mechanisms, actuation systems, and bearing systems.
Work with drafting staff to create and approve drawings.
Develop assembly and test procedures.
Work with technicians to assemble and test systems and subsystems.
Support on-site field testing.
Meet with sponsors, faculty, and staff engineers to define task scope and schedule constraints.
Communicate progress to Principal Investigators and project managers.
Identify resources needed to accomplish tasks and projects.
For higher-level positions, develop and build mechanical testing methods and laboratory experiments.
For higher-level positions, mentor less-experienced staff.
For higher-level positions, design and perform modeling, subsystem integration, or interface analysis.