Mechanical Structural Engineer
Company websitepsu.edu (Penn State University, opens in new tab)
Base salary $105,900 to $173,844
Employer-published annual base salary, USD. Advertised base range Penn State University Park
You apply on the employer's own site. Six Figure Work does not handle applications.
- LocationPenn State University Park
- WorkplaceWorkplace not stated
- Status at last checkSource accepting applications when checked
- Last checked (1 h ago) · observed since
About this job
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 seeking highly motivated Mechanical Engineers with strong structural analysis expertise to join our Energy Science and Power Systems Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. We support our national security and undersea warfare sponsors through the development and demonstration of science and technology with the expertise, tools, and processes to take concepts from the early developmental phase through transition to industry and the fleet.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Perform structural analysis using analytical methods and FEA tools to evaluate mechanical components, assemblies, and systems
Develop, validate, and improve mechanical designs from concept through production
Collaborate with research and development, manufacturing, and testing teams to resolve structural or mechanical challenges
Support prototype builds, design reviews, and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) activities
Identify opportunities for performance improvement, weight reduction, cost reduction, and increased reliability
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline
Have a solid understanding of finite element analysis (FEA) principles, and analytical tools used in structural analysis and effectively communicate theories and results to colleagues, management, and sponsors, in both written and presentation format
Structural analysis and mechanical design principles
Finite Element Analysis (ANSYS, Abaqus, SolidWorks Simulation, etc.)
CAD software (Unigraphics, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar)
Ability to express ideas successfully to drive understanding
Past success in writing white papers or reports
Excellent problem solving skills
Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:
Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline
Dynamic, thermal, or fatigue analysis of complex engineering systems
Knowledge of material selection, manufacturing processes, and GD&T
Familiarity with testing and validation methods for structural components
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
Your working location will be located fully on-site located in State College, PA
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Advanced Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
5+ years of relevant experience
Required Certifications:
None

If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Mechanical (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
2+ years of relevant experience
Required Certifications:
NoneARL’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 website 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.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, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $105,900.00 - $173,844.00.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.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
Source: Penn State University on Workday · View original posting (opens in new tab)
Pay in context
This role's base floor ($105,900) is above 11% of the 4,160 Engineering (non-software) roles nationwide listed on this site; 3 others list the same floor. Their median floor is $136,600; the middle half runs from $116,800 to $160,000.
Only jobs on this site count, and each one publishes a base salary of $100,000 or more, so this compares six-figure jobs with each other, not with the whole market. Computed Nov 6, 2026.
This listingMechanical Structural Engineer$105,900 to $173,844
Research and Development Computer Vision Engineer$105,900 to $200,808
Systems Engineer - Test and Evaluation$105,900 to $231,000
AR/VR/XR Visualization Research and Development Engineer$105,900 to $200,808
Systems & Robotics Engineer$105,900 to $231,000
Engineer - Vehicle Flight Control & Inertial Navigation Systems$105,900 to $231,000
Electrical R&D Engineer$105,900 to $200,808
Chart as a table
| Role | Published base |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Structural Engineer (this listing) | $105,900 - $173,844 |
| Research and Development Computer Vision Engineer | $105,900 - $200,808 |
| Systems Engineer - Test and Evaluation | $105,900 - $231,000 |
| AR/VR/XR Visualization Research and Development Engineer | $105,900 - $200,808 |
| Systems & Robotics Engineer | $105,900 - $231,000 |
| Engineer - Vehicle Flight Control & Inertial Navigation Systems | $105,900 - $231,000 |
| Electrical R&D Engineer | $105,900 - $200,808 |
Observed changes
- First observed on the employer's board
- Began meeting the published-salary criteria
- Observed since
- Employer-stated posting date
- 2026-07-01
Where this pay comes from
Location as the employer wrote it: Penn State University Park
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $105,900.00 - $173,844.00.
- Method
- Employer text, read with fixed rules and re-verified
- Checked
- Rule set
- us-base-v2
The pay passage appears in the employer's own job text. Fixed, deterministic rules located it, and the passage below was checked against the stored copy of the posting.
What we verified
- The pay figures come from the employer's own listing, quoted exactly above.
- The pay is an annual base salary in US dollars with a minimum of at least $100,000.
- The role was publicly listed on the employer's job board when last checked.
We do not verify what the employer will actually offer, whether the employer is still recruiting for the role, or anything beyond what the employer published. Full methodology.