Deputy Office Head - Information Advantage Office (Faculty)

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition discount 75%

Comprehensive benefits package

Generous retirement plans

Job summary

Penn State Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) seeks a Deputy Office Head for the Information Advantage Office (IAO) to lead operations and strategic initiatives. You will collaborate with the Office Head, senior scientists, and sponsors to deliver high‑quality mission-driven RDT&E in C5ISRT domains.

The role involves budgeting, staffing, and coordinating with divisions across ARL, with a path for Research and Development Engineer, non-tenure track, or Technical Engineering Project Manager roles.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering or science discipline.
• 10 years' related experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Office of the Information Advantage; build trusted sponsor relationships.
• Deliver high-quality research deliverables in collaboration with Office Head and Senior Scientist.
• Develop and execute strategic initiatives; manage finances and workspace resources.
• Oversee external web presence, briefing materials, and capability briefings library.
• Support daily interactions with enterprise services and security teams.
• Foster professional development, training, and onboarding for staff.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Budgeting

Technical writing

Collaboration

C5ISRT experience

Security clearance

Education

Master's degree in engineering or science

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

Your working location can be a hybrid of on-site/work from home, on-site location is State College, PA.

We are searching for a Deputy Office Head for the Information Advantage Office (IAO) at the Penn State Applied Research Laboratory (ARL). IAO conducts mission-driven research to disrupt adversary capabilities, enable rapid operational adaptation, and secure a decisive information advantage in contested environments. Its work advances C5ISRT and counter-C5ISRT by bridging intelligence, decision‑making, and execution to outpace emerging threats. The Office delivers applied RDT&E that transforms information into operational advantage, reshaping the landscape of information superiority.

IAO consists of four division: Command, Control, and Communication Innovations (C3I); Joint Mission Integration and Experimentation (JMIE); Cyber, Modeling and Simulation (CMS); and Strategic Systems Operations (SSO). The Deputy Office Head will report directly to the Office Head of the Information Advantage Office. This position will be filled as either Research and Development Engineer, non‑tenure Research Faculty, or Technical Engineering Project Manager.

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

You will:

• Work closely with the Office leadership team to build and maintain trusted relationships with key sponsors and stakeholders
• Work closely with the IAO Office Head and Senior Scientist to ensure the delivery of superior research deliverables to our sponsors
• Support the IAO Office Head in developing and executing strategic initiatives
• Represent the Office in meetings and discussions with sponsors and guests
• Lead, manage, and continuously improve the operations of the Office
• Plan and manage office finances in collaboration with the IAO Program Finance Administrator
• Plan and manage workspace and research facilities and equipment
• Oversee the Office's external web presence, overview briefing, and a library of supporting capability briefings
• Support the Office Head in daily interactions with colleagues in Enterprise Operations - Engineering Services, Business Services, Security Services, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, and Special Programs Security
• Lead, manage, and continuously improve professional development, training, and onboarding

Minimally requires a Master's degree in an engineering or science discipline and 10 years' related experience.

Required skills/experience areas include:

• All aspects of leading individual and portfolios of research projects including developing technical concepts, writing winning proposals, staffing the project, conducting the research, managing budgets, and delivering high quality results
• All aspects of leading a research organization, including planning and managing labor across projects, managing research budgets, presenting department capabilities to sponsors, and hiring, coaching, and mentoring employees
• Superior writing and presentation skills
• Demonstrated success leading a team of engineers/scientists, and collaborating with large teams on multi‑organization, multi‑disciplinary projects
• Experience and exposure in one or more ares of C5ISRT
• Active SECRET government security clearance, TS or above is desired

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.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. 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. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral 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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