Materials Research and Development Engineer

POSITION SPECIFICS We are searching for a motivated Materials Research and Development Engineer to join our Electronic Materials and Devices Department (EMDD) at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This role will directly support research and development (R&D) efforts in the areas of electronic materials growth/deposition, device fabrication, materials characterization, electrical testing, and equipment maintenance/upkeep. EMDD is a vertically integrated lab with key areas of focus including wide/ultrawide bandgap semiconductors, electronic devices, ceramics, and other functional materials. This role will directly support the development of manufacturing processes for next-generation semiconductor materials and devices to enable improved electrical performance and capabilities. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply. 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. You will: Research materials growth and deposition methods Run furnaces and reactors and monitor materials growth and deposition processes Configure furnaces/reactors and hardware for vacuum systems Perform equipment maintenance and troubleshooting Characterize materials and devices (e.g., microscopy, spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, electrical testing, etc.) Analyze characterization and testing data Create project summaries and write technical reports Plan project tasks and provide instructions to other staff members and students Collaborate with engineers and research faculty to write proposals, develop budgets, and prepare Statements of Work (SOWs) Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes: Conduct independent and collaborative research, development, testing, and evaluation activities to solve complex scientific and engineering challenges supporting Department of Defense sponsors and national security missions Investigate, evaluate, and apply established and emerging engineering principles, scientific methodologies, and advanced technologies to develop innovative technical solutions Plan, perform, and lead analytical studies, modeling and simulation, laboratory experimentation, field testing, and prototype demonstrations to validate engineering concepts and system performance Design, develop, integrate, analyze, and evaluate complex hardware, software, embedded systems, sensors, communications systems, electromechanical systems, or other mission-critical technologies within assigned technical disciplines Apply systems engineering principles throughout the project lifecycle, including requirements development, architecture definition, design trade studies, integration, verification, validation, risk management, and configuration management Develop experimental plans, test procedures, data collection methodologies, and performance metrics; analyze results to identify technical issues, validate assumptions, and recommend design improvements Required Skills/Experience areas include: Vacuum systems/hardware Materials growth/deposition methods (e.g., chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, bulk crystal growth, etc.) Materials characterization methods Laboratory safety practices (e.g., PPE, chemical handling, waste disposal, etc.) Ability to maintain organized and detailed notes Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint Ability to express ideas successfully to drive understanding Willingness to work in a fast-paced team environment Active security clearance, at the Secret level or higher Preferred Skills/Experience areas include: Past success growing and depositing materials Past success using materials characterization tools Microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) equipment Growing single crystal or polycrystalline diamond films Semiconductor materials and devices Your working location can/will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications 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)
- Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree
- Engineering or Science 2+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as R&D Engineer
- Materials (ARL)
- Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree
- Engineering or Science No prior relevant work experience required 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 website at www.arl.psu.edu . BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Em