Deployables and Undersea Connectivity – Department Head (ARL)

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 seeks a Department Head for the Deployables and Undersea Connectivity Department (DUC) to provide strategic and operational leadership in a cutting-edge undersea research program. This on-site role focuses on advancing technical methods and devices for undersea communications and connections to the sea-air boundary.

Applicants should have strong program and personnel management experience, with a track record of developing proposals,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science with extensive relevant experience.
• Experience leading programs, teams, and achieving goals in a research environment.
• Ability to develop system test and verification plans and manage technical risk.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership - Provide leadership to advance research and engineering capabilities with high technical excellence.
• Programmatic Leadership - Lead programs and multidisciplinary teams with stakeholders to pursue new opportunities.
• Resource Management - Align staffing and resources with program priorities in coordination with leadership.
• Personnel Management - Set performance expectations, evaluate, and recruit and mentor staff.
• Lead experiment-driven applied research to deliver innovative technical solutions for sponsors and national security.
• Plan, staff, and execute programs aligned with organizational goals and customer needs.
• Foster a culture of innovation through collaboration and exploration of emerging technologies.

Skills

Program management

Test & verification

Underwater acoustics

Fiber optic cabling

RF electronics

Communication skills

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science

Master’s Degree or PhD in a relevant field

Job description

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.

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