Engineering and Laboratory Services Department Head (Faculty)

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University; Warminster Township (Bucks County); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount for employees and families

Comprehensive benefits package

Robust retirement plans

Job summary

A leading research laboratory seeks a Department Head for the Engineering and Laboratory Services Department. This role requires a Master's degree and focuses on supporting navigation application development. Responsibilities include leading a multi-disciplinary team, managing departmental resources, and ensuring project success. Candidates should have strong engineering knowledge, project management skills, and the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance. This position is located in Warminster, PA and may offer hybrid work options.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required, along with related experience.
• Strong engineering knowledge in multi-disciplinary design.
• Project management skills to monitor project progress.

Responsibilities

• Lead a diverse staff in navigation systems development.
• Plan and execute departmental programs.
• Recruit and mentor department staff.
• Prepare and execute department budgets.
• Evaluate professional growth through reviews.

Skills

Strong engineering knowledge in multi-disciplinary design

Experience in rapid prototyping of navigation systems

Project management skills

Navigation system integration experience

Expertise with PNT technologies

Excellent presentation skills

Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance

Education

Master's degree in an engineering or science discipline

Job description

Application Instructions

• Current Penn State employee (faculty, staff, technical service, or student): please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Do not apply here.
• Current Penn State student (not employed previously at the university) seeking employment: please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Do not apply here.
• If you are NOT a current employee or student, 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 Department Head for the Engineering and Laboratory Services Department of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The Engineering and Laboratory Services Department, located in Warminster, PA, focuses on:

• Supporting other departments in the research, design, development and transition of the electrical, mechanical, and software components and systems utilized in navigation applications.
• Assisting with laboratory and in-field testing.

You Will:

• Lead a multi-disciplinary, diverse staff in the development, integration, and 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.

Qualifications

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: 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.

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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