Demo

Design Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/5/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/5/2026
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.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

We are searching for multi-disciplinary engineer to join our Transduction Device and Array Development Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. 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).

Utilizing a breadth of engineering skills, you will design, analyze, fabricate, and test underwater acoustic transduction systems. Your knowledge of mechanical, electrical, acoustic, and material science concepts will develop innovative sonar transducer and array designs.

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

You will:

  • Analyze, design, and test sonar transducers / arrays

  • Design and analyze mechanical packaging concepts

  • Analyze electrical circuits

  • Design fabrication tooling and test beds

  • Create and apply assembly procedures

  • Provide oversight, technical leadership, and supervision of staff conducting transducer fabrication and testing

  • Develop and present technical and project status reports

  • Perform project management (schedule and budget development)

  • Collaborate with team members; nurture and maintain relationships with customers and vendors

NOTE: The successful candidate is not required to already be experienced in the design of underwater acoustic transducers. A strong work ethic, desire to learn, and solid technical foundation will allow you to develop your transduction skills / experience via on the job training.

Additional responsibilities for higher level position include:

  • Manage multiple or large projects

  • Make substantial contributions to determining feasibility of project goals

  • Create opportunities to expand transduction technology

  • Nurture and maintain relationships with major customers/grantors

  • Identify grant/project follow-on work and persuade customers/grantors to fund

  • Initiate new project concepts and seek funding

This position can be filled at the advanced professional or senior professional level, depending on your education and experience.Minimal requirements include a Bachelor's Degree in an Engineering or Science discipline, Master's Degree preferred; 5 years related experience for the advanced professional level.Additional experience and/or education and competencies are required for higher level positions.

Required skills/experience areas include:

  • A Bachelor's or Master's degree in relevant engineering or science field

  • Mechanical or electrical design

  • Technical problem solving fundamentals

  • Technical writing

  • Data analysis

  • MATLAB, Excel, PowerPoint, CAD

Preferred skills/experience areas include:

  • Finite element analysis

  • Experimental test conduct

  • Acoustics

  • Dimensional tolerance stack-up analysis

  • Underwater acoustic transducer/array design and fabrication techniques

  • Project management

  • An active government security clearance

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

You will be subject to a government security investigation, and you must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

$109,300.00 - $191,000.00

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

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

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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PA State Labor Law Poster

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University Park, PA
Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

 

Salary : $109,300 - $191,000

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