Pennsylvania State University
Battery Systems Research and Development Engineer
🇺🇸 Remote - US
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $123K - $191K
💻 Research
🗓️ December 15th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Battery Systems Research and Development Engineer to join its Applied Research Laboratory's Battery Technology Department. The role involves designing, developing, and testing prototype battery systems for high power and energy electric propulsion underwater vehicles while collaborating with cross-functional teams and ensuring compliance with Navy safety standards.
Highlights
- Design and prototype new or improved battery modules and packs to enhance performance or safety.
- Investigate emerging battery chemistries and technologies through research and partnerships.
- Model battery systems using computational tools like MATLAB/Simulink to predict performance and thermal behavior.
- Develop and execute experiments and testing protocols covering performance, cycle life, thermal stability, electrical stress, and vibration.
- Analyze large data sets to evaluate battery performance and diagnose failure modes.
- Perform safety assessments including DFMEAs and ensure compliance with US Navy Lithium Battery Safety program.
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and fabrication teams for system integration of battery components.
- Prepare technical reports, schematics, design documentation, SOPs, and validation plans.
- Required skills: expertise in high-voltage battery systems, leadership or teamwork with engineers/scientists, troubleshooting complex hardware integration, and battery state estimation/control algorithms.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Science, 14+ years relevant experience; no required certifications.
- Preferred: technical publications in peer-reviewed venues, and eligibility for classified information access at Secret level or higher.
- Position is fully remote (Maryville, TN); U.S. citizenship and security clearance eligibility required.
- Salary range: $123,200 to $191,000, with competitive benefits including medical, retirement plans, paid time off, and a 75% tuition discount.
Battery Systems Research and Development Engineer Full Description
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
- CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
We are searching for a Battery Systems Research and Development Engineer to join our Battery Technology Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. You will design, develop, and tests 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.
You will:
- Design and prototype by creating new module and pack designs or improving existing ones for enhanced performance or safety
- Investigate and evaluate new battery chemistries by scouting and assessing innovative and emerging technologies through literature reviews, external partnerships, and competitive benchmarking
- Model and simulate computation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink) to model battery systems to predict performance, thermal behavior, and safety under various conditions
- 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
- Perform safety assessments, conducting DFMEAs (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), and ensuring designs and processes comply with the US Navy Lithium Battery Safety program and standards
- 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
Required skills/experience areas include:
- High-voltage battery systems
- Work within or lead a technical team of engineers/scientists
- Understanding of high-voltage battery design concepts
- Troubleshoot and integrate hardware into larger complex systems
- Battery state estimation and control algorithms
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
- Successful technical publications in peer-reviewed journals or conference proceedings
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required.
You working location will be fully remote located in Maryville, TN. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONSBachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science14+ years of relevant
experienceRequired Certifications:None
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).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $123,200.00 - $191,000.00.**THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL**
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $123,200.00 - $191,000.00.**THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL**
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. 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.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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