Hydro Controls Research and Development Engineer

Penn State University•University Park, IL

1d•$86,300 - $191,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University is seeking a Fluids Machinery Engineer to join their Fluids Machinery Department. This department is part of the Fluid Dynamics Division within the Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics Office, known for its history of providing innovative solutions and technology to U.S. Government and Industry sponsors. The role involves supporting the design and analysis of marine vehicle hydrodynamics, control effector design, flight controls and maneuvering, and experimental fluids testing in laboratory or field settings. Marine vehicle hydrodynamics focuses on understanding fluid-generated forces and their interactions with a vehicle. Flight controls and maneuvering involve how these forces are used by pilots or algorithms to control vehicle motion. Experimental fluids testing includes observing and measuring forces, moments, and flow interactions with test articles in controlled environments or prototypes in the field.

Requirements

BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
Strong background in aerodynamics or fluid mechanics.
Experience with flight dynamics and controls beyond undergraduate coursework (to include relevant work experience).
Success in an environment where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective.
Effective at presenting in front of professionals, conveying information to drive to action or decision.
Previous success with collaborations in a diverse, multi-disciplinary, team-oriented culture.
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science.
14+ years of relevant experience (if filled as Research and Development Engineer - Senior Professional).
5+ years of relevant experience (if filled as Research and Development Engineer - Advanced Professional).
2+ years of relevant experience (if filled as Research and Development Engineer - Intermediate Professional).
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Ability to obtain a government security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or Ph.D.
Design and execution of experiments using wind or water tunnels.
Demonstrated expertise with vehicle flight dynamics and controls involving design, analysis, or testing.
Familiarity with solid modeling/CAD systems, MATLAB, or Simulink.
Active government security clearance.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the design, assembly, and operation of complex test articles and experiments at ARL water tunnel facilities, government test facilities, and field sites.
Perform design and analysis of vehicle control concepts, flight dynamics, and external hydrodynamics or aerodynamics at the component, subsystem and/or full vehicle system level.
Provide subject matter expertise in the areas of fluid dynamics as part of multidisciplinary teams on well-defined questions and problems.
Perform hands-on work in the preparation and execution of fluid dynamic experiments.
Act as part of a team to acquire, analyze, and present technical results.
Interact collaboratively with other engineers, researchers, and academic faculty.
Lead the design, assembly, and operation of complex test articles and experiments at ARL water tunnel facilities, government test facilities, and field sites (additional responsibilities for a higher level position).
Perform design and analysis of vehicle control concepts, flight dynamics, and external hydrodynamics or aerodynamics at the subsystem or system level (additional responsibilities for a higher level position).
Provide subject matter expertise in the areas of fluid dynamics as part of multidisciplinary teams on ill-defined questions and problems (additional responsibilities for a higher level position).
Manage projects of small or moderate size and scope; make substantial contributions to determining feasibility of project goals and objectives (additional responsibilities for a higher level position).
Collaboratively develop, write, and submit proposals for funded research (additional responsibilities for a higher level position).
Author/co-author reports, presentations, and papers and present to technical employees (additional responsibilities for a higher level position).
Maintain existing and cultivate new external research relationships (additional responsibilities for a higher level position).