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 highly motivated and experienced Department Head to join our Engineering Systems Research and Development Division of the Undersea Systems Office (USO) at the Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State. This position will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Deployables and Undersea Connectivity Department (DUC). The mission of the DUC is to develop and mature technical methods and devices to connect platforms in the undersea domain, as well as bridge to above the sea-air boundary, support tethered and untethered communication techniques between stationary or moving undersea platforms, and employ these capabilities to solve the most challenging undersea communications problems.
This position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non-tenure Research Faculty.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Technical Leadership - Provide technical leadership by advancing the Department's research and engineering capabilities while ensuring personnel maintain the highest standards of technical excellence
Programmatic Leadership - Lead programs and multidisciplinary teams while collaborating with laboratory leadership and external stakeholders to identify, develop, and pursue new research and business opportunities
Resource Management - Manage departmental resources by partnering with USO leadership, Project Managers, and Principal Investigators to align staffing and resources with program priorities
Personnel Management - Lead personnel development by establishing performance expectations, conducting performance evaluations, identifying professional development opportunities, and recruiting, retaining, and mentoring high-performing engineering, research, faculty, and student staff
Lead experiment driven applied research and development to deliver innovative technical solutions that support sponsors and national security missions
Plan, staff, and execute programs to ensure departmental personnel are effectively utilized and aligned with organizational goals and customer needs
Foster a culture of innovation by encouraging collaboration, technical growth, and the exploration of emerging technologies and research opportunities
Additional responsibilities for higher-level positions includes:
Leading small to medium sized teams from concept development through prototype capability demonstration in relevant environments
Developing and maintaining relationships with external organizations and sponsors
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
Managing programs, people, and a demonstrated capability to set and meet goals and objective
Development of system test and verification plans
Underwater acoustics and communication methods
Mechanical and optical properties of fiber optic cabling, its deployment, and the fundamentals of data transmission
Electronic design and RF communication devices and techniques
Ability to express ideas successfully to drive understanding
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
Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:
Proven history of identifying sponsor needs and developing proposals to address those needs
Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures
Experience in the design and testing of tethered and untethered undersea deployable devices (buoys, sensors, tow bodies, etc.)
Master’s Degree or PhD in a relevant field
Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as R&D Engineer, Department Head (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
19+ years of relevant experience
Required Certifications:
None

If filled as R&D Engineer, Department Head (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
5+ years of relevant experience
Required Certifications:
None

If filled as R&D Engineer, Department Head (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
14+ years of relevant experience
Required 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 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 $161,004.00 - $298,800.00.
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.