Mechanical/Materials Engineering Support Specialist

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Metals, Ceramics, and Coatings Processing Department, in the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University is seeking a highly motivated Engineering Support Specialist to assist with various activities throughout the department with materials and methods pertaining to the material synthesis and analysis of ceramic, metallic, semiconductors, and/or mixed, combination. You will assist projects and efforts related to materials design, materials improvement, field-assisted sintering technology (FAST), metallography, and analytical materials characterization involving materials such as powders and polycrystalline/single-crystal bulk ceramic, metallic, and alloy compositions for corrosion resistance, wear resistance, erosion resistance, ablation resistance, thermal protection, and joining/repair technology.

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

Responsibilities Include:

• Assisting in material synthesis, processing, characterization, device fabrication, and process simulation for fabrication of advanced coatings, materials and material systems fora broad range of programs involving Field Assisted Sintering Technology (FAST), cold spray technology, electron beam physical vapor deposition, sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, hot pressing plating, and microelectronics fabrication
• Assisting in setup and monitoring experimental designs, and compile and analyze data for a wide range of materials and coatings comprised of nanocomposite, nanolayered, multilayered, functionally graded, and multifunctional material systems for property enhancement and performance for a variety of applications in the aerospace, defense, tooling, biomedical, nuclear, microelectronic, and optical industries
• Assist in the troubleshooting of complex equipment problems and repair, or oversee minor repairs and maintenance. Involve electronics technician or electrical engineer when appropriate. Use basic electronic test equipment (digital multi-meter, insulation tester, oscilloscope)
• Assist other research personnel with their work as needed, working cooperatively in a small research group
• Work collaboratively with students and staff on proper operation of laboratory equipment.
• Provide assistance with the development and improvement of standard operating procedures

Typically requires an Associate's Degree or higher, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Ceramic Science and Engineering, Metals Science and Engineering, or a related field is preferred.

Required skills and experience include:

• Working knowledge on a wide range of coating deposition processes
• Materials characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
• Optical microscopy (OM)
• X-ray diffraction (XRD)
• Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS)
• Optical Profilometry
• Sample and failure analysis

Preferred Skills and Experience Include:

Any prior internship experience in process development, design of experiments, materials processing, or materials analysis.

Your working location will be onsite located in State College, PA

ARL at Penn State is an integral part of one of the leading research universities in the nation and serves as a University center of excellence in defense science, systems, and technologies with a focus in naval missions and related areas.

You will be subject to a government security investigation, and you must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.

ARL is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion; we believe this is central to our success as a Department of Defense designated University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). We are at our best when we draw on the talents of all parts of society, and our greatest accomplishments are achieved when diverse perspectives are part of our workforce.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.

The pay range for this position, including all possible grades is:

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: