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Research and Development Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA Full Time
POSTED ON 12/25/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/24/2026
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 multiple entry-level engineers to join our Systems and Emerging Capabilities Division of the Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University. ARL/Penn State's purpose is to develop innovative solutions to challenging national problems in support of the Navy, DoD, and Intel communities engineering and technology needs. This position seeks to train/mentor individuals in becoming experts in their areas of interest.

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

You Will:

  • Support analysis, requirements development, systems architecture and concept development, analysis of alternatives, system and requirements decomposition, detailed design processes, systems and process modeling, systems integration and test, verification planning and execution

  • Vehicle systems design, electrical power and controls, vehicle controls, software or autonomy

This position can be filled at multiple levels, depending upon your education and experience.Minimal requirements a Bachelor's degree or higher in an Engineering or Science discipline for the professional level. Additional experience and/ or education and competencies are required for higher level jobs.

Additional responsibilities for higher level position includes:

  • Additional experience in one or more relevant technologies/engineering disciplines:

    • Systems Engineering

    • Electrical Power and Controls (battery)

    • Autonomy

    • Vehicle Control

    • Software (C/C , JAVA, or similar)

    • In/On Water Testing of Vehicle Systems

  • Design, develop and test of undersea vehicles and systems in support of major DoD programs

  • Perform in-water testing of software on targeted underwater vehicle platform

Required skills/experience areas include:

  • Strong engineering foundation that will be applied to a variety of projects that range in complexity and technological maturity

  • Willingness to concurrently work multiple projects (usually 2-3)

  • Ability to work closely with a team to meet challenging design and program objectives

  • Candidates should be inquisitive, proactive, and interested in learning new tools, techniques, and problem domains

  • Candidates should possess strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication and presentation skills; be well-organized, independent, and ready to work with minimal supervision; and feel comfortable working in an environment where problems are often not initially well-defined


Preferred skills/experience areas include:

  • MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW and real-time software programming

  • CAD tools for schematic capture, layout, and generation of procurement documentation (Altium Design Suite highly recommended)

  • Underwater vehicle development (UUV, submarine, torpedo)

  • Research and development experience in autonomy, autonomous systems systems engineering processes, or naval training

  • Previous Navy systems development as related to unmanned systems

  • Active Secret/Top Secret clearance

  • Technical experience related to the development of software for autonomous or unmanned systems

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

ARL at Penn State is an integral part of one of the leading research universities in the nation and serves as a University center of excellence in defense science, systems, and technologies with a focus in naval missions and related areas.

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:

$76,700.00 - $129,500.00

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 : $76,700 - $129,500

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