After completing his MS at
Carnegie Mellon University Leven continued on as an instructor and research assistant until 1942 when he joined the
US Navy during
World War II. Leven joined
Westinghouse Research Laboratories in
Pittsburgh,
PA in 1946 where he was well known for leading a laboratory utilizing photoelastic stress analysis. He employed three dimensional
photoelasticity for the development of nuclear reactor vessels and turbo-machinery components. He was promoted to fellow engineer 1954, advisory engineer in 1966 and to manager of experimental mechanics in 1967 until his retirement in 1977. He gave the
SESA William M. Murray Lecture in 1972 . He was named the sixth Honorary Member of the Society in 1969, a position held until his death in 1979. When
SESA introduced the rank of Fellow, Leven was among the first class of
SESA Fellows in 1975 along with the seven other living Honorary Members of the society. == Awards and recognition ==