Engineering and Laboratory Services Department Head (Faculty)

The Pennsylvania State University; United States; On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a Department Head for the Engineering and Laboratory Services Department of the ARL in Warminster, PA. The role leads a multidisciplinary team focusing on navigation systems design, integration, and testing, while planning programs and managing budgets.

Responsibilities include staff development, performance reviews, and collaboration with program sponsors, pursuing proposals, and strategic planning to advance naval mission technologies.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering or science.
• 1 year related experience.
• Strong engineering knowledge in multi-disciplinary design, implementation, and integration.
• Experience with navigation system integration and test.
• Expertise with PNT technologies (e.g., Inertial Navigation, GPS, Alternative Navigation).
• Excellent presentation and written/oral communication skills.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary staff in development, integration, and test of high-performance navigation systems and sensors.
• Plan, staff, and execute programs ensuring departmental tasks are managed effectively.
• Recruit, retain, and define performance expectations for department staff.
• Develop and utilize department staff and resources; mentorship and career development.
• Oversee performance reviews and professional growth within the department.
• Foster collaboration across the department, division, and ARL; interact with program managers and sponsors.
• Support department programs, budgets, proposals, and project development.
• Contribute to strategic planning and regularly engage with stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Engineering design

Navigation systems

PNT technologies

Project management

Security clearance readiness

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in engineering or science

Job description

We are seeking a Department Head for the Engineering and Laboratory Services Department of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Engineering and Laboratory Services Department, located in Warminster, PA, focuses on 1) Supporting other departments in the research, design, development and transition of the electrical, mechanical, and software components and systems utilized in navigation applications, and 2) Assisting with laboratory and in-field testing.

This position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non-tenure Research Faculty.

You will:

• Lead a multi-disciplinary, diverse staff in the development, integration, test of high performance navigation systems and sensors
• Plan, staff, and execute programs to ensure all departmental staff are appropriately and sufficiently tasked at all times
• Recruit, retain, and define performance expectations of department staff
• Develop, maintain, and utilize department staff and resources
• Mentorship, professional, and career development of department staff
• Evaluate professional growth through performance reviews
• Foster an environment of collaboration across the department, division, office, and ARL
• Support the execution of the department programs
• Preparation and execution of department budgets
• Proposal and project development
• Support strategic planning initiatives
• Interact and collaborate regularly with program management, program sponsors and stakeholders
• Perform engineering work related to navigation integration and test

Faculty rank will be commensurate with education and experience.

Minimally requires a Master's degree in an engineering or science discipline and 1 year related experience.

Required skills/knowledge include:

• Strong engineering knowledge and background in the area of multi-disciplinary engineering design, implementation, and integration
• Experience in rapid prototyping of navigation systems and sensors is highly desired
• Project management skills required include producing project schedules, tracking critical paths, monitoring the progress of technical work, working with program managers and department heads to identify and resolve issues, and creating input for the generation of routine project reports.
• Experience with navigation system integration and test
• Expertise with PNT technologies which may include: Inertial Navigation, Global Positioning System, Alternative Navigation Technologies, Geophysical Navigation, Sonar Navigation
• Excellent presentation skills and effective written and oral communication
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance is required

Preferred skills/knowledge include:

• An active Top Secret security clearance is preferred

This job posting is for an on-site position located in Warminster, PA. A hybrid on-site/remote work schedule may be possible.

ARL at Penn State is an integral part of one of the leading research universities in the nation and serves as a University center of excellence in defense science, systems, and technologies with a focus in naval missions and related areas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site 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. 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. Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines

There's a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world's universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom - it's the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania's sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters - more than half a million strong - driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.