Engineering Support Specialist Intern

We are searching for Engineering Support Specialist Interns to join our Electronic Materials and Devices Department in the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. ARL/Penn State’s purpose is to develop innovative solutions to challenging national problems in support of the Navy, DoD, and Intel communities engineering and technology needs.

About the role

You will join a team of scientists and engineers performing a wide range of fundamental and applied research and development projects involving semiconductor, optical and piezoelectric materials synthesis, materials characterization, electronic device processing, and sensor fabrication and testing.

Students typically work 5-10 hours per week during the semester and 40 hours per week over the summer. EMDD works with students to determine a schedule based on classes and other academic obligations. Exact pay is determined based on number of credits completed.

Your working location will be on-site in State College, PA. This position will be mostly located at the 230 Building at Innovation Park (along the Red Link CATA bus route) with some work being performed at the Millennium Science Complex (MSC) on campus and other ARL buildings surrounding campus.

Responsibilities

• Substrate fabricating, including cutting, dicing, grinding, lapping, and polishing
• Materials characterization, including microscopy, spectroscopy, and surface profiling
• Electrical characterization
• Mechanical and environmental testing
• Furnace recipe development, loading, unloading, and profiling
• Ceramic processing, including preparing slurries, tape casting, electroding, and sintering
• Additive manufacturing / 3D printing, including CAD modelling, preparing slurries/inks, and running printers with a focus on electronics applications

Requirements

• Basic knowledge of engineering concepts and the scientific method
• Basic skills for using hand tools (e.g., tape measures, hammers, pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.)
• Proficiency at using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Good presentation, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Ability to maintain organized, detailed notes
• Ability to work effectively as part of a project team

Qualifications

Students majoring in the following are encouraged to apply:

• Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE)
• Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM)
• Electrical Engineering (EE)
• Mechanical Engineering (ME)
• Chemical Engineering (ChemE)

Notes

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 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.