Pennsylvania State University
Engineering Technologist
🇺🇸 State College, PA
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $68K - $115K
💻 Project Management
🗓️ October 29th, 2025
CI/CD
Edtech.com's Summary
The Pennsylvania State University is hiring an Engineering Technologist for the Multimodal Systems Department of the Applied Research Laboratory. The role involves supervising a team, collaborating on the design and development of complex electromechanical sensor systems, and managing lab environments to support Department projects focused on defense and intelligence applications.
Highlights
- Supervise, hire, train, mentor, and review junior Engineering Technologists and Technicians.
- Collaborate on conceptual design of complex electromechanical systems and subsystems.
- Develop and define requirements to support engineering product designs.
- Perform design, fabrication, installation, and testing of custom electrical, mechanical, and software subsystems.
- Utilize computer-aided design software and develop specialized tools for system testing.
- Manage lab spaces including inventory and resource planning; make lab equipment recommendations.
- Apply systems and software engineering, modeling, simulation, rapid prototyping, and agile DevSecOps development methodologies.
- Design, build, and troubleshoot PC boards and lab environments.
- Require eligibility for classified information security clearance and periodic travel for testing.
- Bachelor's degree required; 3+ years experience for Advanced Professional level or 6+ years for Senior Professional level.
- Salary range from $68,200 to $115,100 with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, retirement, paid time off, and tuition discounts.
Engineering Technologist 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 an experienced Engineering Technologist to join the Multimodal Systems Department of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. The mission of the Department is to analyze, design, develop, and prototype sensor systems and networks for all DoD services, national intelligence, and other government agencies. The focus is on the development of systems that can support the warfighter in the near-term. Core mission areas include:
- Application of traditional systems and software engineering techniques for the design and development of complex sensor systems
- Application of modeling and simulation methodologies
- Approaches for Rapid Prototyping as a means of concept assessment, risk reduction, and accelerated capability fielding
- Utilization of agile development methods including DevSecOps for continuous integration / continuous delivery (CI/CD) software pipelines, and application to all facets of complex system development
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
- Supervise a team of junior Engineering Technologists and/or Engineering Technicians, to include hiring, training, mentoring, tasking and performance review
- Collaborate with project leadership on the conceptual design of complex electromechanical systems and subsystems
- Collaborate with engineering staff and engineering technologists in developing, defining, and/or deriving requirements to support the design of engineering products
- Guide and provide input for technical work activities performed by engineering support staff and/or less experienced engineering technologists
- Research, evaluate, and recommend new engineering products and tooling to support the development of project systems
- Perform design, development, fabrication, installation, and use of custom electrical, mechanical, and software subsystems
- Prepare test plans, procedures, reports, and other forms of formal documentation
- Develop specialized electrical, mechanical, and/or software tools to support testing of complex electromechanical systems
- Utilize computer-aided design software to develop electrical, mechanical, and/or software products
- Collaborate with a broad range of interoffice organizations to accomplish all phases of project development
- Conduct tests, provide results, address issues, and recommend modifications related to electrical, mechanical, or software subsystems
- Coordinate and schedule technical training on new equipment
- Assist with the management of all lab spaces assigned to the Department and Division, including inventory and resource management
- Plan the layout and make equipment recommendations that meet the specific lab needs as new lab spaces are needed
Required skills/experience areas include:
- Defining, building, and operating lab environments
- Designing, building, and troubleshooting PC boards
- Past success leading/mentoring a varied group of junior team members
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at the (please confirm which level clearance is needed) level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required
Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position will require periodic travel to remote locations in support of testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers, and technologists.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONSIf filled as Engineering Technologist - Advanced Professional, this position
requires:Bachelor's Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as Engineering Technologist - Senior Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired 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 $68,200.00 - $115,100.00.**THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL**
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $68,200.00 - $115,100.00.**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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