Non-Destructive Inspection Engineer​/Material Scientist; Faculty

We are seeking scientists and engineers to join the Polymer Composite Manufacturing Department of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. As part of a technical team engaged in engineering and technology needs you will support the research and development of new materials, innovative material system designs, and novel fabrication and testing methods. This will cover a wide range of material systems including composites (fiber‑reinforced polymers, ceramic matrix composites, metal matrix composites), elastomers, additively manufactured polymers, and ceramics as well as emergent technologies.

The Polymer Composites Fabrication Department focuses on creating the development and optimization of materials processes for research, prototype development, and transition to implementation. The advanced inspection technologies and application of operational health monitoring represents a vital capability to achieve and maintain our historical implementations.

These positions can be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non‑tenure Research Faculty.

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

• Contribute to the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems
• Investigate and evaluate practical applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles to develop and improve various engineering systems
• Identify technical approach for solving problems and meeting customer/sponsor needs
• Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results and follow operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes
• Conduct experiments/tests in the laboratory/field to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions on basis of research findings and experiences of others researching in related technical areas (may include taking measurements and recording observations, collecting, compiling, and processing data and planning/designing experiments or tests and supervising the execution thereof)
• Initiate or contribute data/analysis/design for use in technical reports, documents, proposals, papers, or oral/written presentations
• Manage projects of varying size and scope, including technical elements, budget/schedule implications, and communication with sponsor(s)
• Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members, engineers, and scientists to accomplish organizational goals
• Provide innovative problem‑solving approaches to enhance organizational capabilities
• Initiate or contribute to business development activities (i.e. white papers, proposals, etc.)
• Supervise the work of lower‑level staff and undergraduate students
• Team with engineers in other technical areas across ARL
• Work on the development of proposals and projects

Faculty rank will be commensurate with education and experience. Minimally requires a Master’s degree in an Engineering or Science Discipline and 1 year related experience.

• Materials inspection development and optimization including nondestructive technique selection, process monitoring optimization, and prototype development for a range of materials
• Static and fatigue mechanical testing related to structural health monitoring, data analysis and nondestructive inspection for a range of geometries from material coupons to full‑scale hardware including instrumentation
• Ability to work in a multi‑disciplinary, team‑oriented culture
• Proposal and technical writing skills
• Exceptional problem solving skills and creative thinking

These positions will be located on‑site in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

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…