Posted:
1/20/2026, 9:50:44 PM
Location(s):
State College, Pennsylvania, United States ⋅ Pennsylvania, United States
Experience Level(s):
Junior ⋅ Mid Level ⋅ Senior
Field(s):
Mechanical Engineering
Workplace Type:
Hybrid
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
We are searching for an Engineering Technologist to join our Department for Uncrewed Systems at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. 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 other industrial partners. In this role, you will use skills consisting of hardware and software to develop payloads for uncrewed systems, as well as performing tasking for the design, development, fabrication, and flight testing of various aerospace vehicle platforms included fixed-wing, rotorcraft, gas and electric platforms.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Collaborate with project leadership with the conceptual design of complex electromechanical systems and subsystems
Collaborate with engineering staff and senior engineering technologists in developing, defining, and/or deriving requirements to support the design of engineering products
Participate in meetings and design reviews
Contribute to/develop and present technical and project status reports
Collaborate to address design, material, and component needs; assist in the resolution of issues
Use computer aided design software to develop electrical, mechanical and/or software products
Perform design, development, fabrication, installation, and use of custom electrical, mechanical, and software subsystems
Conduct laboratory and field experiments of aerospace vehicles as both the remote pilot-in-command (rPIC) and as the flight test engineer
Maintain all required compliance training related to business systems, safety, and security
Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members, engineers, and scientists
Additional responsibilities for higher level position includes:
Perform a mix of high-level project management and engineering work, and provide expert-level technical expertise
Design PCBs for custom payloads
Develop software to collect and process flight data for analytics
Required skills/experience areas include:
Operation and maintenance of different systems including uncrewed platforms
Mechanical systems and components
CAD tools and other digital engineering principles
FAA Part 107 (active) certification with demonstrated experience
Technical writing and presentation
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
Data collection and data processing from flight testing
Additive Manufacturing for aerospace applications
Microsoft Office and Adobe products
Programming languages such as Python and C++
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.
Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position will require periodic travel to remote locations in support of testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers, and technologists.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Engineering Technologist - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None If filled as Engineering Technologist - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required 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 Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
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 investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $68,200.00 - $115,100.00.**THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL**
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
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.
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.
Website: https://www.arl.psu.edu/
Headquarter Location: State College, Pennsylvania, United States
Employee Count: 1001-5000
Year Founded: 1945
IPO Status: Private
Industries: Universities