Materials Research and Development Engineer

Position Specifications

We are searching for a motivated Materials Research and Development Engineer to join the Polymer Composite Manufacturing Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. We specialize in developing innovative and affordable technology solutions than can be implemented and sustained by our customers. This role will support various research activities throughout the Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Engineering (AMME) Division including manufacturing, characterization, and design of polymers and fiber-reinforced polymer composites, elastomers, ceramic matrix composites, and/or multi-material structures. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

• Support the research, design, development, and fabrication of advanced polymer and composite structures for defense and industrial applications
• Perform and support fabrication, characterization, testing, and evaluation activities while ensuring technical quality and accuracy
• Apply sound engineering judgment, critical thinking, and attention to detail to solve technical challenges and support project objectives
• Contribute to white papers, technical proposals, project plans, customer meetings, and other business development initiatives
• Lead and manage technical tasks, proposals, and research projects while serving as a Task Lead or Principal Investigator, as appropriate
• Present technical findings, project updates, and recommendations to sponsors, customers, and other stakeholders
• Develop and maintain test plans, procedures, bills of materials, technical reports, presentations, and other formal project documentation
• Execute assigned work in accordance with written and verbal instructions while proactively identifying and communicating technical issues and risks
• Provide regular project status updates and technical progress reports to Principal Investigators, project leadership, and engineering staff
• Collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams to achieve project goals and technical milestones
• Demonstrate initiative by seeking guidance, sharing knowledge, and engaging with supervisors and team members to ensure project success
• Maintain a safe, organized, and compliant laboratory environment while adhering to established safety procedures and best practice

Additional Responsibilities for Higher-Level Position

• Identify technical risks and develop mitigation strategies to improve program execution, system performance, reliability, maintainability, and mission effectiveness
• Initiate and contribute to business development activities through technical concept development, customer engagement, proposal preparation, Independent Research and Development (IRAD) initiatives, and strategic technology planning
• Mentor and provide technical leadership to junior engineers, engineering technologists, engineering support personnel, interns, and students
• Maintain technical expertise through continued professional development, participation in technical working groups, awareness of emerging technologies, and engagement with the defense research community

Required Skills / Experience Areas

• Polymer structure-property relationships and the ability to produce new thermoset materials with specific properties
• Thermoset elastomer development
• Process development of prototype structures
• Past success utilizing a wide range of materials characterization techniques including mechanical property testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and chemical analysis
• Understanding of relationships between composition, microstructure, processing, and material properties
• Polymer processing and characterization methods
• Testing and characterization methods for composite materials
• Project engineering or management
• Past success providing ideas in written form for clear comprehension
• Successful collaborations in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures

Preferred Skills / Experience Areas

• Coatings, adhesives, and fiber-reinforced composites
• Leading projects and working with customers/sponsors
• Developing new proposals and projects
• Past success working on defense projects
• 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

Work Location

Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

• If filled as R&D Engineer - Materials (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 19+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None
• If filled as R&D Engineer - Materials (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 5+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None
• If filled as R&D Engineer - Materials (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 14+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None

Company Purpose

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 website at

Background Checks / Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $121,704.00 - $265,704.00. 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 Statement

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.

Company Culture & Values

There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land‑grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.