Research and Development Mechanical Engineer

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants. POSITION SPECIFICSYour working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. We are searching for motivated Research and Development Mechanical Engineers to join the Energy Science and Power Systems (ESPS) Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. ESPS is focused on developing novel energy sources and power producing systems mainly for underwater applications by maintaining core skills in the area of thermo-fluid systems, chemical reactions, high-speed machinery, structural analysis, and automation & controls. This role will focus on the design, fabrication and testing of various mechanical components for undersea power systems. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply. You willDevelop, validate, and improve complex mechanical designs from concept through production Collaborate with research and development, additive manufacturing, and testing teams to resolve design challenges Support design reviews, prototype builds, and testing activities Identify opportunities for performance improvement, cost reduction, and design for manufacturability (DFM) Perform structural and thermal-fluid analysis using analytical methods and FEA tools to evaluate mechanical components, assemblies, and systems Required Skills/Experience areas includeStrong foundation in mechanical design and analysis principles CAD software (Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar) Strong verbal and written communication skills Excellent problem solving skills Preferred Skills/Experience areas includeMaster’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline Structural, thermal, and fluid flow FEA of complex engineering systems (ANSYS preferred) Material selection, manufacturing processes, and GD&T Past success testing and validation methods for structural and thermal-fluid systems Additive manufacturing (LPBF) and DfAM Experimental testing and analysis for full design-build-test cycles 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 Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required CertificationsIf filled as R&D Engineer - Mechanical (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 5+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as R&D Engineer - Mechanical (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 2+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as R&D Engineer - Mechanical (ARL) - Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science No prior relevant work experience required Required Certifications: None Background Checks/ClearancesEmployment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.