Division Head, Guidance and Control Technology (FACULTY)

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Generous medical, dental, and vision coverage

Robust retirement plans

Job summary

A prominent research laboratory is seeking a Division Head for the Guidance and Control Technologies Division. This role involves leading a team of fifty scientists and engineers, overseeing research in autonomous guidance systems for undersea vehicles. The ideal candidate will have experience securing funding, managing projects, and possess strong communication skills. A PhD or equivalent experience is required along with eligibility for security clearance. The position is fully on-site in University Park, Texas, with a competitive benefits package including tuition discounts.

Qualifications

• Experience with securing external funding for research projects.
• Proven track record in leading multidisciplinary research teams.
• Eligible for government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of scientists and engineers in undersea guidance systems.
• Develop technical expertise and maintain relationships with sponsors.
• Oversee research and development activities across disciplines.

Skills

Underwater acoustics

Signal processing

Autonomous decision-making

Software development

Project management

Communication skills

Education

PhD or equivalent experience in relevant field

Job description

Application Instructions

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

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 seeking a Division Head for the Guidance and Control Technologies (GCT) Division of the Undersea Systems Office (USO) at the Penn State University Applied Research Laboratory (ARL). The GCT Division serves as a research center of excellence in autonomous guidance systems for undersea weapons and uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs), with a focus on advancements in sensing and tactical decision‑making technologies as well as efficiently integrating and implementing these technologies in real‑time systems. The GCT Division consists of four departments: Signal Processing, Tactical and Autonomous Processing, Applications Software, and Embedded Software. The Division Head will report directly to the Head of the Undersea Systems Office. The Division Head position may be filled as either a non‑tenure Research Faculty or as a Research and Development Engineer commensurate with the candidate’s education and experience. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You Will:

• Lead a team of fifty scientists and engineers across four departments that are engaged in the research, development, implementation, integration and testing of complex undersea guidance systems, including acoustic signal processing, tracking, classification, and data fusion; vehicle autonomy and tactics design; and embedded, real‑time software implementation and testing.
• Develop and maintain division‑wide technical expertise in core disciplines, from early development through transition to sponsors.
• Work closely with the Office leadership team to build and maintain trusted relationships with key sponsors and stakeholders, ensure the delivery of superior research products to our sponsors and develop and execute strategic initiatives.
• Lead the development of proposals and projects that further our knowledge and expertise in autonomous guidance systems.
• Provide project updates to sponsors and stakeholders, and lead the development of new business for potential sponsors.
• Collaborate with engineers in technical areas across USO and ARL.
• Oversee the planning, staffing, and execution of programs to ensure all divisional staff and faculty are appropriately and sufficiently tasked at all times.
• Provide a mix of high‑level project management, engineering oversight, and technical expertise related to acoustic signal processing, vehicle autonomy/tactics, and embedded real‑time software.
• Coordinate research and development activities between disciplines involving exploration, definition of scope, and identification of problems for investigation.
• Recruit, develop, and retain extraordinary R&D engineering staff and faculty.

Non‑tenure faculty rank will be commensurate with education level and experience.

Required Skills/Experience Include:

• Principal Investigator, technical lead, or senior contributor on applied research efforts, with a record of securing and sustaining external funding in one or more of the following technical areas: underwater acoustics, signal processing, autonomous decision‑making, and software development.
• Leading individual and multi‑disciplinary portfolios of research projects including developing technical concepts, writing winning proposals, staffing, conducting the research, managing budgets, and delivering high‑quality results.
• Leading a research organization, including planning and managing labor across projects, managing research budgets, and hiring, coaching, and mentoring employees.
• Coordination across units to ensure rigorous execution, sound research and engineering practices, and the highest standards of technical work are maintained.
• Superior written and oral communication skills.
• DoD, Navy, and industrial research funding activities.
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher; candidates may also be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required.

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

Background Checks/Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre‑employment drug screen.

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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