Research and Development Engineer - System Sustainment

About the role

We are searching for a highly analytical, systems-focused Research and Development Engineer to join the Applied Sustainment Technologies Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of analytic methods including machine learning, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance models, and network or system-level analyses
• Develop and evaluate reliability and failure models for complex naval or defense-related systems
• Translate complex technical findings into clear, actionable recommendations for technical and executive audiences
• Build, validate, and document data pipelines, analytic tools, dashboards, and modernization processes, including cloud-based environments (AWS/GCP/Azure)
• Engage with cross-functional engineering teams to support system readiness assessments, configuration analysis, and engineering change evaluations
• Contribute to research proposals, technical reports, and customer deliverables
• Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and collaboration across multidisciplinary project teams

Required Skills/Experience

• Past success solving complex analytical or engineering problems, using structured methodologies to reach effective, defendable solutions
• Failure analysis, reliability engineering, or predictive analytics
• Technical computing or analytics languages such as Python, R, SQL, or similar
• Success in environments where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
• Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, Azure), containerization, version control, or data engineering tools
• Naval systems engineering, system readiness evaluation, or lifecycle maintenance analysis
• Graduate degree in Computational Science, Engineering Management, Applied Data Science, or related fields

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
• Work Experience: 19+ years of relevant experience for R&D Engineer - Data Science (ARL) - Principal Professional
• 14+ years of relevant experience for R&D Engineer - Data Science (ARL) - Senior Professional
• Required Certifications: None

Benefits

• Salary Range: $140,004.00 - $265,704.00
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Robust retirement plans
• Substantial paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick time
• 75% tuition discount for employees, spouses, and children

Pay & Schedule

• On-site to start for training located in State College, PA, then a hybrid of on-site/work from home based on project-dependent ability
• Periodic travel to remote locations required

Schedule

• Full-time position

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Robust retirement plans
• Substantial paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick time
• 75% tuition discount for employees, spouses, and children

Notice Regarding Employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL)

• Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance
• Participate in the ARL drug testing program
• Comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors
• Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas

Contact Information

• Hiring Manager: [Hiring Manager Name]
• Email: [Hiring Manager Email]
• Phone: [Hiring Manager Phone]