R&D Engineer Intern

The Pennsylvania State University•University Park, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) is seeking a motivated undergraduate student to join its Advanced Manufacturing Process Development Department. The internship focuses on material characterization and material processing in a laboratory. Primary focus areas include microstructure imaging and analysis, X-ray diffraction, and mechanical testing. Secondary focus areas include thin-film coating and sample preparation. The internship is paid and fully on-site in State College, Pennsylvania. The intern may work up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and up to 40 hours per week over the summer. Relocation and housing are not provided. ARL researches and develops solutions to scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense, and the Intelligence Community. Employment requires successful completion of background checks. Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in ARL’s drug testing program, and comply with monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. The position requires U.S. citizenship. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted in certain areas.

Requirements

Be a current undergraduate student; students majoring in Materials Science and Engineering are encouraged to apply.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance.
Must participate in ARL’s drug testing program and comply with applicable electronic and physical monitoring requirements.
Ability to work independently and maintain a predictable work schedule.
Experience presenting results in written formats such as Word or PowerPoint and in weekly meetings.

Nice To Haves

Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher is preferred.
Experience or interest in material characterization, including metallography, optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and hardness testing.
Knowledge of processing-microstructure-properties relationships in metals and ceramics.
Experience or interest in additive manufacturing (3D printing), powder processing, or corrosion.
Experience or interest in thin-film coating and sample preparation.

Responsibilities

Perform material characterization and material processing in a laboratory.
Conduct microstructure imaging and analysis.
Perform X-ray diffraction and mechanical testing.
Work on secondary focus areas that may include thin-film coating and sample preparation.
Work independently and maintain a predictable work schedule.
Present results in written formats and in weekly meetings.