Head of Agile Systems Engineering — Lead & Innovate

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 161,000 - 299,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition discount 75%

Generous benefits package

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) seeks a Department Head for the Agile Systems Engineering Department (ASE) to lead strategic direction, technical leadership, and operational oversight of a ~10-person team on-site in State College, PA. The role emphasizes rapid, tailored systems integration and workforce development.

The position may be filled as R&D Engineer or non-tenure Research Faculty, with mandatory DoD collaboration and potential remote/hybrid work approvals not

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science required.
• Extensive experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong background in systems engineering, architecture development, and MBSE.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Agile Systems Engineering Department with strategic direction and operational oversight.
• Direct a multidisciplinary team focused on systems engineering across programs and sponsors.
• Mentor engineers in applying systems engineering to complex problems.
• Develop and maintain sponsor relationships to meet funding objectives.
• Lead research projects, proposals, staffing, budgeting, and delivery of results.
• Foster partnerships with military program offices and defense contractors.

Skills

Leadership

Systems engineering

Model-based engineering

Team management

Proposal writing

Budget management

Customer/sponsor engagement

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science

Job description

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) seeks a Department Head for the Agile Systems Engineering Department (ASE) to lead strategic direction, technical leadership, and operational oversight of a ~10-person team on-site in State College, PA. The role emphasizes rapid, tailored systems integration and workforce development.

The position may be filled as R&D Engineer or non-tenure Research Faculty, with mandatory DoD collaboration and potential remote/hybrid work approvals not