Engineering Technologist, Mechanical

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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, seeNotice 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. We are searching for a highly motivated Engineering Technologist, Mechanicalto join the Materials for Extreme Environments Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The Materials for Extreme Environments Department develops and evaluates advanced materials, manufacturing processes, and engineering solutions for demanding operational environments. This role will apply established engineering principles and practical technical knowledge to support materials processing, prototype development, experimental equipment, testing, and technology transition. The successful candidate will help translate engineering concepts into functional prototypes, test articles, experimental systems, and validated technical solutions for the U.S. military, and other government customers. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply. You will: 1. Collaborate with engineering staff to plan and execute materials-processing, prototyping, integration, and testing activities 2. Develop, build, modify, and evaluate experimental equipment, test fixtures, prototypes, and process hardware 3. Operate and support coating, heat-treatment, surface-preparation, manufacturing, and materials-testing equipment 4. Develop and interpret engineering drawings, equipment layouts, test procedures, process documentation, and technical specifications 5. Conduct and document mechanical, thermal, environmental, and surface-property testing 6. Configure sensors, vacuum hardware, compressed-gas systems, pumps, controls, and data-acquisition equipment 7. Support machining, welding, additive manufacturing, fabrication, and mechanical assembly activities 8. Perform materials characterization using microscopy, spectroscopy, profilometry, and other analytical methods 9. Analyze test results and recommend practical improvements to equipment, processes, fixtures, and experimental methods 10. Troubleshoot mechanical, process, instrumentation, and equipment-related problems 11. Maintain proper documentation and traceability of engineering artifacts, test data, and technical deliverables 12. Support prototype demonstrations, customer evaluations, and technology-transition activities 13. Prepare technical reports, presentations, drawings, procedures, and other project documentation Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes: 1. Maintain current knowledge of mechanical design methods, fabrication techniques, materials, test equipment, and emerging engineering technologies applicable to the discipline 2. Ensure proper documentation, traceability, and configuration control of engineering artifacts, test data, and technical deliverables in accordance with organizational and sponsor requirements 3. Support secure handling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), Export-Controlled Information, and other sensitive technical data throughout design, fabrication, and testing activities 4. Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes, prototyping methods, and test capabilities in support of mission requirements 5. May provide supervision or technical direction to lower-level engineering staff, including task assignment, mentoring, and performance input Required Skills/Experience areas include: 1. Applying mechanical engineering or engineering technology principles to design, fabrication, testing, or manufacturing activities 2. Connecting engineering concepts with hands-on implementation and practical problem-solving 3. Developing or interpreting technical drawings, procedures, specifications, or equipment documentation 4. Demonstrated ability to solve technical problems using organized and logical methods 5. Collect, organize, and interpret technical data 6. Express technical ideas successfully in verbal and written form 7. Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures Preferred Skills/Experience areas include: 1. Mechanical engineering technology, manufacturing engineering technology, electromechanical engineering technology, materials engineering technology, or a related discipline 2. Materials processing, coatings, surface preparation, heat treatment, additive manufacturing, machining, or welding 3. Design and fabrication of mechanical fixtures, prototypes, or experimental equipment 4. Computer-aided design, data-acquisition, engineering analysis, or instrumentation software 5. Mechanical testing, materials characterization, or environmental testing 6. Furnaces, vacuum systems, compressed-gas systems, pumps, sensors, controls, or laboratory instrumentation 7. ASTM, military, or industry test standards 8. Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS If filled as Engineering Technologist, Mechanical (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as Engineering Technologist, Mechanical (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree1+ years of relevant experienceRequired Certifications:None ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community