Department Head – Advanced Optical Systems

The Pennsylvania State University; United States; On-site; USD 161,000 - 299,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Generous retirement plans

Paid time off

Tuition discount

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University’s Applied Research Laboratory is seeking a Department Head for the Advanced Optical Systems Department. The role focuses on leading a team of engineers and scientists to advance imaging, sensing, and laser delivery technologies for defense applications.

Ideal candidates will have a strong track record in optical design, DoD program management, and personnel leadership, with an ability to drive multi-disciplinary research from concept to deployment in a secure,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field and 10+ years of project management experience in sensor command and control.
• Experience leading DoD-related projects.
• Broad understanding of optical systems and validation methods (MTF, stray light, distortion).
• Experience with optical design software such as Zemax, CODE V, TracePro, or FRED.
• Knowledge of coating and optics fabrication techniques.
• Experience in optical system development including materials and photonic processes.
• Strong communication and organizational skills in an office setting.
• Proven success transitioning technology from lab to deployment.
• At least 5 years of supervisory or project leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide organizational leadership to the Advanced Optical Systems Department.
• Mentor staff while directing high-impact research projects.
• Serve as PI and program manager for optical systems programs.
• Execute design and development of prototype electro-optical systems for DoD/IC.
• Conduct basic and applied research on high-performance optical designs.
• Lead development of proposals and projects advancing optical systems.
• Develop long-term relationships with manufacturers, integrators, and sponsors.
• Coordinate R&D across disciplines and identify novel concepts.
• Direct major proposal development and presentations.
• Contribute to ARL’s strategic plan.

Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Physics, EEs, or

10+ years project management in sensor

DoD project leadership

Optical systems knowledge

Optical design software (Zemax, CODE V

Coating/fabrication techniques

Optical system development, materials,

Strong communication/organization

Tech transfer from lab to deployment

5+ years supervisory leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering

Advanced degree in a related field

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Electro-Optics and Electronics (EOE) Division of the Materials, Manufacturing, and Sustainment Office (MMSO) at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University is seeking a Department Head for the Advanced Optical Systems (AOS) Department. AOS develops innovative optical solutions for imaging, high-energy laser delivery, and sensing systems, and maintains the design and testing capabilities required to build and fully characterize all aspects of optical performance—from image quality to HEL coating damage testing. This position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non‑tenure‑track Research Faculty member. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

YOU WILL

• Provide organizational leadership to the Advanced Optical Systems Department, including employee management, recruitment, development, and retention
• Mentor staff while planning and directing high-impact research projects, expanding knowledge and understanding
• Serve as a principal investigator and program manager, leveraging subject matter expertise in optical systems and applying leadership and systems engineering principles to ensure program success
• Execute projects involving the design and development of prototype electro‑optical systems for military and intelligence community applications
• Conduct basic and applied research in the development, integration, and evaluation of high‑performance, novel, and complex optical designs—from concept through deployment—while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, industry partners, and government stakeholders to solve electro‑optics challenges and support military and IC customers
• Lead the development of proposals and projects that advance knowledge of high-performance optical systems
• Develop and maintain long‑term professional relationships with manufacturers, system integrators, and government sponsors to ensure projects meet customer requirements, uphold ARL’s position of trust, and contribute to the strategic mission of the EOE Division

HIGHER-LEVEL RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE

• Coordinate research and development activities across disciplines, including defining scope, selecting problems for investigation, and developing novel concepts and approaches
• Devise, plan, and lead projects that solve highly complex problems impacting current product designs or addressing broader challenges for future technologies
• Propose and lead new initiatives, guide programs of national or international significance, identify emerging research trends and opportunities, and direct and/or participate in major proposal development and presentations
• Contribute to ARL’s strategic plan

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field such as Physics, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, and a minimum of ten years of experience managing projects related to sensor command and control
• Leading and managing projects supporting Department of Defense (DoD) applications
• Broad understanding of optical systems, including design and tolerancing of optical lens systems to meet performance requirements, and validation methods such as stray light, thermal performance, MTF, distortion, and vignetting
• Optical design and analysis software (e.g., Zemax, CODE V, TracePro, FRED)
• Current coating and optics fabrication techniques and their limitations
• Optical system development, including materials and photonic processes used in cutting‑edge designs
• Success in an office environment, where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
• Demonstrated success transitioning technology from laboratory development to implementation
• At least five years of supervisory or project leadership experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced degree in a related field
• Significant leadership experience
• Emerging optical design approaches such as broadband systems, optical metasurfaces, gradient‑index lenses, and other advanced designs
• Systems engineering experience and/or training
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher; may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required

Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher; may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required.

Your primary work location will be fully on‑site in Freeport, PA. Questions regarding flexible work arrangements should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position requires periodic travel to remote locations to support testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers, and technologists.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as 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 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 Department Head (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires:

Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 14+ years of relevant experience

Required Certifications: None

Security clearance preferred; current eligibility for access to classified information at the secret level or higher and maybe subject to government background investigation to upgrade clearance, eligibility if required.

Your working location will be full onsite located in Freeport, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

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

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Robust retirement plans
• Substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time
• 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.

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