Battery Systems Research and Development Engineer

About the role

We are searching for Battery Systems Research and Development Engineers to join our Battery Technology Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. You will design, develop, and test prototype battery systems for high power and high energy electric propulsion underwater vehicles. 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). ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

Responsibilities

• Design and prototype by creating new module and pack designs or improving existing ones for enhanced performance or safety
• Evaluate new battery chemistries by scouting and assessing innovative and emerging technologies through literature reviews, external partnerships, and competitive benchmarking
• Design comprehensive experiments and testing protocols (performance, cycle life, thermal stability, electrical stress, vibration) in a lab environment
• Collect, analyze, and interpret large sets of data to evaluate performance, identify failure modes, and determine root causes of issues
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and fabrication teams to ensure seamless integration of battery components into underwater electric vehicles
• Prepare detailed technical reports, schematics, design documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and validation plans
• Additional responsibilities for higher level positions include contributing to the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems; investigating and evaluating practical applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles to develop and improve various engineering systems; identifying technical approaches for solving problems and meeting customer/grantor needs; applying standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlating data, recognizing discrepancies in results, and following operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes; initiating or contributing data/analysis/design for use in technical reports, documents, proposals, papers, or oral/written presentations

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Science. Depending on the level: Intermediate Professional requires 2+ years of relevant experience; Professional level requires no prior relevant work experience. No certifications are required. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Skills

• Required: High‑voltage battery systems experience; ability to work within a technical team of engineers/scientists; high‑voltage battery design concepts with proven ability to build, troubleshoot, and integrate hardware into larger, more complex systems.
• Preferred: Successful technical publications in peer‑reviewed journals or conference proceedings; eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher (may require government background investigation).

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; robust retirement plans; substantial paid time off (holidays, vacation, sick time); and a generous 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible spouses and children.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $92,100.00 – $174,708.00.