Materials Research and Development Engineer Job Alabama USA,Engineering

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

Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.

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 varying size and complexity, including responsibility for technical performance, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and risk management
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, software developers, technicians, and external research partners to accomplish program objectives

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

Engineering principles and scientific methods applicable to materials, manufacturing, mechanical systems, chemistry, or physics
Experimental work, engineering analysis, materials processing, manufacturing, or testing gained through coursework, internships, research, military service, employment, or independent projects
Demonstrated ability to define a technical problem, evaluate information, and formulate a logical approach to solving it
Collect, organize, analyze, and interpret technical data
Past success providing technical ideas in written form for clear comprehension
Ability to express ideas successfully to drive understanding
Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary, team‑oriented cultures
Laboratory safety practices, including personal protective equipment, chemical handling, compressed gases, and waste disposal

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:

Materials science…