Integrated Power Systems - Energy Conversion Department Head (FACULTY)

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Competitive retirement plans

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University’s Applied Research Laboratory in State College, PA seeks a decisive Department Head for the IPS‑EC Department to drive strategic direction, excellence, and execution in energy conversion programs. This on-site leadership role emphasizes people development, safety, and mission alignment with USO and ARL goals.

Responsibilities include building a high-performing team, guiding major projects, and collaborating with ARL and USO leaders to pursue new research

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or related discipline.
• Proven track record managing people, projects, and technical teams.
• Expertise in thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluids, and related engineering areas.

Responsibilities

• Define and communicate the department’s long-term technical vision and roadmap.
• Align IPS-EC work with ESPS, USO, and ARL mission needs.
• Shape investments, workforce development, and future capability areas.
• Recruit, develop, and retain engineering and research talent.
• Build a high-performing, collaborative technical culture.
• Lead large or multi-phase projects with planning and coordination.
• Devise goals, evaluate feasibility, and pursue new research directions.
• Collaborate with USO leadership and ARL PIs to coordinate resources.

Skills

People management

Projects leadership

Technical leadership

Strategic vision

Safety leadership

Program management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering

Master’s or PhD in a relevant field

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for a decisive, forward‑thinking Department Head to lead the Integrated Power Systems – Energy Conversion (IPS‑EC) Department within the Energy Science and Power Systems (ESPS) Division of the Undersea Systems Office (USO) at the Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State. The Department Head serves as the primary leadership interface between Division strategy and departmental execution. The role integrates people management, technical excellence, and mission execution into a coherent unit aligned to USO and ARL goals. This is a key leadership role in a mission‑focused organization that develops next‑generation energy conversion technologies for critical national defense applications. This position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non‑tenure Research Faculty. The IPS‑EC Department Head is responsible for the strategic direction, technical excellence, personnel development, and execution performance of multidisciplinary engineering programs. This position requires a leader capable of shaping advanced power and energy technologies while ensuring the highest standards of scientific rigor, safety, and programmatic success.

Responsibilities Include

• Department and Division Leadership and Strategy
• Define and communicate the department’s long‑term technical vision, capability roadmap, and strategic priorities
• Ensure alignment of IPS‑EC work with ESPS, USO, and ARL mission needs
• Shape departmental investments, workforce development priorities, and future capability areas
• Talent Development and Organizational Management
• Recruit, develop, and retain exceptional engineering, research faculty, and student talent
• Build a high‑performing, collaborative, and innovative technical culture
• Establish clear expectations, conduct performance evaluations, and identify professional development pathways
• Ensure the department maintains the highest standards of technical excellence and safety
• Program Execution and Technical Leadership
• Lead and manage large or multi‑phase technical projects, including planning, scheduling, coordinating, and overseeing major portions of project execution
• Evaluate and shape project goals and feasibility; convert technical concepts into actionable programs and identify opportunities for new research directions and applications
• Advance organizational technical capabilities by developing new methods, extending technologies into new domains, and driving innovation through creative problem‑solving and collaboration across a broad peer network
• Collaboration and External Engagement
• Work closely with USO leadership, PMs, and PIs across ARL to coordinate resources and leverage capabilities
• Identify and pursue new research and business opportunities that advance ARL’s mission and sponsor relationships (government and non-government)
• Nurture and maintain relationships with major customers of external research and develop technical proposals for future work

Required Skills/ Experience Areas include

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or a related scientific discipline
• Management of people, projects, and technical teams with a record of setting and meeting objectives
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following: Thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics; machine design and engineering mechanics; materials and materials selection; system‑level test planning and execution; geometric dimensioning and tolerancing; program and project management

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include

• Master’s Degree or PhD in a relevant field

Your working location will be fully on site located in State College, PA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.

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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