Engineering/ Manufacturing Tech

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.

Your working location will be a hybrid of on-site/work from home, on-site location is Freeport, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position will require up to 25% travel to remote locations.

We are searching for a Manufacturing Technology Engineer to lead critical manufacturing technology efforts at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. Our mission is to transition new electro-optics technologies and applications to Navy-selected focus platforms. Since 1999, the Electro-Optics Center has proudly served as the Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) Manufacturing Technology Center of Excellence for Electro-Optics. This roll will perform a wide range of applied research and development projects involving manufacturing technology applied to electronic and electro-optics systems.

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

Apply strong knowledge of engineering science and practices to identify manufacturing technology issues, then develop manufacturing improvements to produce U.S. military systems

Execute research and development projects in manufacturing technology engineering

Plan and manage concurrent project tasks to achieve research contract goals

Collaborate with other engineers, scientists and technical staff including the Penn State ARL research team, faculty at Penn State, U.S military laboratories, U.S. military program offices and related industry teams to accomplish project and organizational goals

Lead new concept development and create measurable project plans for new projects with internal and external stakeholders that provide a return to the government stakeholders

Develop and maintain a vision for electronics and electro-optics manufacturing technology efforts

Maintain familiarity with leading edge electronics and electro-optics technology and manufacturing techniques then propose applications to military platforms and subsystems to lower cost, improve delivery times or accelerate/enhance capability

Ability to manage and directly contribute to a manufacturing research project portfolio

Assist in project/task execution analyzing alternatives and applying engineering and project/portfolio management techniques and procedures

14+ years’ experience with electronics or electro-optics manufacturing technologies for components and systems

Ability to clearly communicate, document, and present results

Bachelor’s of Science in engineering science or related field

Past success developing, producing and testing electro-optic and electronic systems at the system/architecture level

Directly-respecting ONR experience in electronics/electro-optics manufacturing

Past success with project/portfolio management practices in a research/project leadership role

An advanced technical degree relevant to electronic or electro-optic systems results

Active security clearance at the TS/SCI level or higher

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

If filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (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 - Systems (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 14+ years of relevant experience 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 Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at

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. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. S. citizen to apply.

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.

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. 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io.

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