Research and Development Mechanical Engineer

Penn State University•University Park, IL

16h•$105,900 - $231,000•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
14+ years of relevant experience (if filled as Senior Professional)
5+ years of relevant experience (if filled as Advanced Professional)
2+ years of relevant experience (if filled as Intermediate Professional)
Must be a U.S. citizen
Must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance
Must participate in the ARL drug testing program
Must comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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
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