AR/VR/XR Visualization Research and Development Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 86,300 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount for employees and eligible family members

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

Robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a motivated Visualization Research and Development Engineer for their Advanced Visualization Department at the Applied Research Laboratory. This position offers an opportunity to design innovative collaborative visualization solutions for national security missions.

As part of the role, you will lead the integration of VR and AR technologies, contribute to new sponsor relationships, and ensure effective collaboration within the team. A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science is required, with relevant experience varying by position level.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience if filled as Advanced Professional.
• 2+ years of relevant experience if filled as Intermediate Professional.
• Active security clearance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design experiences and applications for effective collaboration.
• Develop methodologies for 3D data integration and visualization.
• Lead hardware and software development for sponsor challenges.

Skills

Software development proficiency (C#, Python, or Java)

Team-based software development experience

Visualization technologies

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science

Tools

Unity/Unreal for XR application development

AWS/Azure for Cloud deployment

Docker, Kubernetes for containerization

Job description

AR/VR/XR Visualization Research and Development Engineer

United States, Pennsylvania, University Park

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for a driven, innovative Visualization Research and Development Engineer to join the Advanced Visualization Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. Our department develops cutting‑edge visualization solutions that push the boundaries of collaborative visualization, Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) applications for critical national security missions.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You Will

• Design experiences, interactions, and applications that support effective collaboration for research sponsors
• Design and implement application programming interfaces (APIs) to pass data between disparate software applications
• Develop methodologies for effective integration, visualization, and dissemination of novel 3D data sources using game‑engine‑based synthetic environment frameworks
• Create tool workflows or visual communication methods using internally and externally‑developed toolkits to illustrate and document complex concepts
• Integrate features and solutions with synthetic environment frameworks being applied to multiple sponsored projects across domains
• Deploy solutions to Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) platforms including the latest hardware from Meta, Varjo, HTC, and others
• Perform systems engineering activities to improve data flows and processes
• Brief research sponsors on technical solutions
• Develop engineering and technical documentation
• Draft whitepapers and proposals for research sponsors

Additional responsibilities for higher‑level position includes

• Lead the development and prototyping of hardware and software‑based solutions for sponsor challenges
• Define immersive interaction standards
• Develop new processes for visualizing content using immersive technology
• Develop and manage new sponsor relationships
• Design and develop architectures of industry‑related engineering systems, applying knowledge of complex principles, theories, concepts, tools and techniques to design challenges
• Independently manage multiple and/or large IT projects
• Plan, schedule, conduct, or coordinate detailed phases of the work of a major project or in a total project of moderate scope
• Understand broad strategic objectives and contribute to them
• Develop and maintain long‑term professional relationships with government sponsors, industry partners, and academic collaborators to ensure programs meet customer
• Serve as a subject matter expert for the sponsor when needed

Required Skills/Experience areas include

• Software development proficiency (C#, Python, or Java)
• Team‑based software development, troubleshooting, and deployment experience
• Software engineering, systems engineering, human computer interfaces, or visualization technologies

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include

• Master's Degree
• Active security clearance, TS/SCI preferred, or current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret/Top Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required
• Advanced software development in C#, Python, or Java focusing on modular programming and performance
• Extended Reality (XR) application development (Unity/Unreal)
• Cloud deployment experience (AWS/Azure)
• Software containerization and deployment (Docker, Podman, Kubernetes, Helm, etc.)
• DevSecOps experience
• Graphics programming - rendering, graphical shaders, etc.
• Network programming such as TCP/UDP and client-server
• Messaging interfaces (ActiveMQ, DDS, Kafka, etc.)
• Databases (PostGRES-PostGIS preferred)
• Performance optimization and process automation experience
• Geospatial data formats and standards
• CompTIA Security+ certification
• Project management or related skills

Working Location

Fully on‑site located in State College, PA or Reston, VA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.

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 - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 2+ years of relevant experience. Required Certifications: None.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $86,300.00 - $164,000.00. The proposed salary range may be impacted by geographic differential.

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.

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.