Mechanical Engineering Support Specialist

Location: University Park

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

* CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

* CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

* If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

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 SPECIFICS

We are searching for an Engineering Support Specialist for the Electronic Materials and Devices Department (EMDD) at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. EMDD is a vertically integrated lab with key areas of focus including wide/ultrawide bandgap (WBG/UWBG) semiconductors, sensors, ceramics, laser processing, and additive manufacturing (AM). This position will directly support research and development (R&D) efforts in the areas of electronic materials processing, testing/characterization, semiconductor device fabrication, sample preparation, polishing, and materials growth/synthesis.

ARL is an authorized DoD Skill Bridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:

* Conduct materials characterization (e.g., microscopy, spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction)

* Prepare and polish samples

* Operate furnaces/reactors; monitor materials growth and synthesis processes

* Perform device fabrication in a cleanroom environment

* Carry out electrical characterization and device testing

* Support routine equipment maintenance

* Provide input on technical approaches and processing conditions

* Ensure equipment is operated safely and in compliance with safety standards

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

* Sample preparation and materials characterization techniques

* Laboratory safety practices, including PPE, chemical handling, waste disposal, etc.

* Success maintaining organized and detailed documentation

* Microsoft Office, Excel, and Power Point

* Ability to express ideas successfully to drive understanding

* Willingness to work in a fast-paced team environment

Preferred skills/experience include:

* OM, SEM, EDS, XRD, AFM, or other materials characterization techniques

* Lithography, evaporation, sputtering, dry etching, wet etching, or other device processing steps in a cleanroom environment

* Vacuum systems/hardware and familiarly with high temperature crystal growth equipment

* Semiconductor devices and methods

* Additive manufacturing/3D printing tools

* CAD software (e.g., Solid Works, AutoCAD, etc.)

Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as Engineering Support Specialist - Senior Professional, this position requires:
Associate Degree
6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required

Certifications:

None

If filled as Engineering Support Specialist - Advanced Professional, this position requires:
Associate Degree
4+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required

Certifications:

None

If filled as Engineering Support Specialist - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:
Associate Degree
2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required

Certifications:

None

ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website .psu.edu.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $51,000.00 - $89,600.00.THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which…