Research Computing Software Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 92,100 - 174,708; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition discount

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University seeks a Research Computing Software Engineer to advance software for research computing in the Visualization and Decision Support Division (VDS) of the ARL. You will lead efforts in DoD-relevant, classified and cloud-based environments to streamline computational workflows and support the research community.

Located in either State College, PA or Reston, VA, this on-site role involves directing engineers and researchers, improving performance, and maintaining

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 6+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Active TS/SCI clearance preferred; security clearance eligibility required.

Responsibilities

• Develop, deploy, enhance, and maintain software applications and tools for research computing.
• Implement efficient algorithms and data structures for large datasets.
• Write clean, well-documented code using modern programming languages.
• Integrate software with research computing infrastructure, including cloud platforms.
• Collaborate with engineers and researchers to ensure tool functionality.
• Analyze and optimize performance for computational research.
• Provide troubleshooting and technical support to researchers.
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for tools.

Skills

Programming

Software development

Software architecture

Data Analysis

Code analysis

Cross-team collaboration

Software testing

Presentation Skills

Trend analysis

Technology acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are seeking a Research Computing Software Engineer to join the Visualization and Decision Support Division (VDS) of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. You will work within classified research and development and cloud computing (HPC) environments to develop and maintain software solutions to support the computational and data analysis needs of the research community; design, code, test, and optimize software systems that enhance research capabilities and streamline computational workflows. The mission of VDS is to research, develop, and apply technical innovations that provide Decision Advantage to our sponsors through the use of data science, artificial intelligence, simulation, knowledge communication and virtual collaboration technologies. In this role, you will direct a team of engineers and researchers to fulfill this mission.

The position will be located in either State College, PA or Reston, VA and is not eligible for remote work.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will

• Develop, deploy, enhance, and maintain software applications and tools to support research computing needs
• Implement efficient algorithms and data structures to handle large datasets and complex computations
• Write clean, well-documented, and maintainable code using modern programming languages
• Integrate software solutions with existing research computing infrastructure, including cloud platforms
• Collaborate with other engineers and researchers to ensure seamless integration and functionality of software tools within the research environment
• Analyze and optimize the performance of software applications, ensuring they meet the high demands of computational research
• Identify and address performance bottlenecks, memory usage issues, and other technical challenges
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for software issues, assisting researchers in overcoming obstacles
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for software tools, including user guides, technical specifications, and troubleshooting procedures
• Stay up to date with advancements in software engineering and computational research technologies

Additional responsibilities of higher level positions

• Propose and implement new features, improvements, and updates to enhance the functionality and usability of software tools
• Lead or participate in software development projects, including planning, development, testing, and deployment phases
• Manage project timelines, deliverables, and milestones to ensure successful and timely completion of software initiatives
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Required skills and/or experience includes

• Code analysis
• Cross-team collaboration
• Data Analysis
• Presentation Skills
• Programming
• Software architecture
• Software development
• Software testing
• Technology acumen
• Trend analysis

Preferred skills/experience areas include

• Active or recently active TS/SCI clearance
• A Master's degree in Geography is preferred

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

If filled as Scientific Computing Software Specialist (ARL) – Senior Professional, this position requires a Bachelor's Degree and 6+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. No certifications are required.

If filled as Scientific Computing Software Specialist (ARL) – Advanced Professional, this position requires a Bachelor's Degree and 3+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. No certifications are required.

Background Checks/Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 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.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $92,100.00 – $174,708.00.

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. A generous 75% tuition discount is available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

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.