Chief, Agile Systems Engineering

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 161,000 - 299,000; Full time

Job summary

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University is seeking a Department Head for the Agile Systems Engineering Department (ASE) in the MMSO. This on-site leadership role directs a multidisciplinary team and shapes strategic direction, technical excellence, and funding outcomes across diverse defense programs.

You will mentor engineers, develop training, and build partnerships with sponsors and government laboratories while guiding research portfolios from concept to high-quality results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science required.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary research teams and projects.
• Proven ability to develop technical concepts, proposals, staffing plans and budgets.
• Active security clearance, at the Secret level or higher.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of the Agile Systems Engineering Department, providing strategic direction, technical leadership, and operational oversight, personnel management, workforce planning, talent development, and performance evaluation
• Build and direct a multidisciplinary team focused on the application of systems engineering to a diverse set of programs, technologies and sponsors
• Mentor systems engineers in applying systems engineering to complex problems across maturity levels
• Support division leadership in developing and maintaining sponsor relationships to meet funding objectives
• Lead individual research projects and portfolios including developing technical concepts, writing proposals, staffing projects, managing budgets, and delivering high-quality results
• Foster partnerships with U.S. Military Program Offices, defense contractors, systems integrators, and other government laboratories
• Lead department personnel in developing and delivering training on systems engineering to ARL staff and external partners
• Foster a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and mission focus

Skills

Leadership of research projects

Systems engineering

Proposal writing

Budget management

Mentoring / staff development

Program sponsorship relations

Training development

Military/defense program knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science

Job description

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University is seeking a Department Head for the Agile Systems Engineering Department (ASE) in the MMSO. This on-site leadership role directs a multidisciplinary team and shapes strategic direction, technical excellence, and funding outcomes across diverse defense programs.

You will mentor engineers, develop training, and build partnerships with sponsors and government laboratories while guiding research portfolios from concept to high-quality results.