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POSITION SPECIFICS
Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.
We are searching for a motivated Materials Research and Development Engineer to join the Materials for Extreme Environments Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The Materials for Extreme Environments Department develops and evaluates advanced materials, manufacturing processes, and engineering solutions for demanding operational environments. This role will support experimental research, engineering analysis, prototype development, materials testing, and the transition of new technologies into practical applications. The successful candidate will apply engineering principles and scientific methods to solve materials and manufacturing challenges for the U.S. military and other government customers.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Conduct collaborative research, development, testing, and evaluation activities under the guidance of experienced technical staff
Investigate and evaluate materials, coatings, manufacturing processes, and component performance
Develop experimental plans, test procedures, data-collection methods, and performance metrics
Design or support the design of prototypes, test fixtures, experimental systems, and process equipment
Conduct mechanical, thermal, environmental, and surface-property testing
Perform materials characterization using microscopy, spectroscopy, profilometry, and other analytical methods
Analyze experimental data to identify trends, technical issues, and opportunities for improvement
Apply engineering principles and scientific methods to recommend changes to materials, processes, equipment, or test methods
Operate and support materials-processing, coating, heat-treatment, surface-preparation, and testing equipment
Support additive manufacturing, machining, welding, fabrication, and mechanical assembly activities
Troubleshoot experimental equipment and help resolve process or instrumentation problems
Prepare technical reports, presentations, test plans, and other project documentation
Collaborate with engineers, scientists, faculty, technical staff, government customers, and industry partners
Support prototype demonstrations, customer evaluations, manufacturing activities, and technology-transition efforts
Maintain technical knowledge through literature reviews, professional development, and awareness of emerging materials and manufacturing technologies
Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:
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
Manage technical tasks and engineering projects of…