Mechanical Research and Development Engineer

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 a high motivated Mechanical Research and Development Engineer to join our Advanced Design & Analysis Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State.

This role will involve designing, analyzing, and testing structures and systems, including multi-material assemblies, including fiber-reinforced polymer composite structures and other advanced materials.

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

You will:

Perform analytical and computational modeling to evaluate system and structural behavior, component interactions, and overall design performance

Develop detailed mechanical designs and assemblies using mechanical CAD software

Conduct laboratory testing to validate analytical models

Flexibly to adapt across a variety of technical tasks, including CAD modeling, scripting in MATLAB/Python, analytical modeling, and supporting experimental testing

Collaborate closely with senior engineers, receiving mentorship in modeling, design methodologies, and interdisciplinary engineering practices

Support system and subsystem integration efforts by analyzing interfaces, ensuring compatibility, and contributing to the development of fully integrated system architectures

Perform detailed finite element analysis of multi‑material systems as part of broader design and integration activities, supporting structural evaluation, system modeling, and engineering decision‑making

Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:

Support research conducted within Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified environments while safeguarding sensitive technical information and government-furnished data 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

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

Finite element analysis (FEA) modeling and structural analysis of multi-material systemsCAD software, such as Solid Works, Creo, or NXProgramming skills (MATLAB/Python)
Ability to quickly adapt to diverse engineering tasks and changing project priorities

Demonstrated collaboration within a multidisciplinary team

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:

Abaqus or similar advanced FEA software

Past success with multi‑material assemblies and integrated system architectures

Mechanical testing methods and laboratory experiments

Modeling, subsystem integration, or interface analysis

Your working location will be a hybrid of on-site/work from home, on-site location is Warminster, PAMINIMUM…