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Research & Development Engineer

Penn State University
University Park, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 18 Mar 2025
💰 $191,000/yr($86,300/yr$191,000/yr)

About the role

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

  • 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.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

We are searching for a Fluids Machinery Engineer to join our Fluids Machinery Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. The Department is part of the Fluid Dynamics Division within the Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics Office, which has a long, successful history of providing innovative solutions and technology for a range of U.S. Government and Industry sponsors. In this position, you will support the design, experimental fluids testing, and analysis of marine vehicle propulsion, hydrodynamic vehicle control systems, and related applications such as turbomachinery, renewable energy production, and rotorcraft aerodynamics. Propulsion systems rely on a detailed understanding of turbomachinery flow physics. Hydrodynamic vehicle control systems rely on a detailed understanding of fluid generated forces (lift and drag) from various parts of a vehicle and how they interact. Experimental fluids testing involves observation and measurement of forces and flow interacting with a test article. This position can be filled as either a non-tenure Research Faculty or a Research and Development Engineer.

You will:

  • Contribute to the design, assembly, and operation of complex test articles and experiments at ARL water tunnel facilities, government test facilities, and field sites

  • Perform hands-on work in the preparation and execution of fluid dynamic experiments

  • Act as part of a team to acquire, analyze, and present technical results

  • Interact collaboratively with other engineers, researchers, and academic faculty

Additional responsibilities for a higher level positions includes:

  • Perform design and analysis of turbomachinery applications such as pumps, propellers, turbines, compressors, etc. and corresponding blade and stage level phenomena

  • Perform design and analysis of vehicle control concepts, flight dynamics, and external aero/hydrodynamics

  • Manage projects of small or moderate size and scope; make substantial contributions to determining feasibility of project goals and objectives

  • Collaboratively develop, write, and submit proposals for funded research

  • Author/co-author reports, presentations, and papers and present to technical employees

  • Maintain existing and cultivate new external research relationships

This position can be filled at multiple levels, depending on your education and experience.  Minimum requirements include a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related discipline; 2+ years related experience.  Additional experience and/or education are required for higher level positions.

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Company

Penn State University

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