Non-Destructive Inspection Engineer/Material Scientist (Faculty)

About the role

We are seeking scientists and engineers to join the Polymer Composite Manufacturing Department of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This department focuses on creating the development and optimization of materials processes for research, prototype development, and transition to implementation. The advanced inspection technologies and application of operational health monitoring represent a vital capability to achieve and maintain our historical implementations.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems
• Investigate and evaluate practical applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles to develop and improve various engineering systems
• Identify technical approach for solving problems and meeting customer/sponsor needs
• Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results and follow operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes
• Conduct experiments/tests in the laboratory/field to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions on basis of research findings and experiences of others researching in related technical areas (may include taking measurements and recording observations, collecting, compiling, and processing data and planning/designing experiments or tests and supervising the execution thereof)
• Initiate or contribute data/analysis/design for use in technical reports, documents, proposals, papers, or oral/written presentations
• Manage projects of varying size and scope, including technical elements, budget/schedule implications, and communication with sponsor(s)
• Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members, engineers, and scientists to accomplish organizational goals
• Initiate or contribute to business development activities (i.e. white papers, proposals, etc.)
• Supervise the work of lower-level staff and undergraduate students
• Team with engineers in other technical areas across ARL
• Work on the development of proposals and projects

Qualifications

• A minimum of a Master's degree in an Engineering or Science Discipline
• 1 year related experience
• Required skills/experience areas include: Materials inspection development and optimization including nondestructive technique selection, process monitoring optimization, and prototype development for a range of materials
• Static and fatigue mechanical testing related to structural health monitoring, data analysis and nondestructive inspection for a range of geometries from material coupons to full-scale hardware including instrumentation
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary, team-oriented culture
• Proposal and technical writing skills
• Exceptional problem solving skills and creative thinking

Pay

Faculty rank will be commensurate with education and experience.

Schedule

These positions will be located on-site in State College, PA.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.