Strategic Systems Operation Division Head

The Pennsylvania State University; University Park (TX); Hybrid; USD 204,000 - 336,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University’s Applied Research Laboratory seeks a Division Head for the Strategic Systems Operations Division (SSO) to lead research engineers, scientists, and staff in delivering advanced DoD and IC capabilities from Penn State, State College campus.

The role requires active TS/SCI clearance, proven leadership in technical programs and funding, strong communication, and strategic planning across cross‑functional teams.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance is required.
• Demonstrated leadership in technical programs and personnel management in high-growth, research environments.
• Experience as PI, technical lead, or senior contributor with external funding in electromagnetics, RF, signals processing, or electrical engineering.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical leadership for SSO, guiding its emergence in ARL and Penn State.
• Build and lead high-performing cross-disciplinary teams across engineering, science and support staff.
• Lead interdisciplinary R&D programs from concept to delivery with technical rigor and clear communication of goals.

Skills

Active TS/SCI

Leadership

Program management

Executive communication

Strategic planning

Sponsor relations

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

Your working location will be a hybrid of on-site/work from home, on-site location is State College, PA.

We are seeking a Division Head for the Strategic Systems Operations Division (SSO) to join the Information Advantage Office of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. SSO specializes in delivering systems, products and information to leading edge DoD and IC operations worldwide. SSO consists of 4 departments: Signals Prototyping; Trusted Systems Engineering; Signals Implementation; National Programs Solutions. The Division Head will report directly to the Head of the Information Advantage Office and will be responsible for managing the division’s research engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel. This position will be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non-tenure Research Faculty. ARL is an authorized DoD Skill Bridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

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.

You Will:

• Provide strategic and technical leadership for the Strategic Systems Division (SSO), guiding its emergence as a new division onto ARL’s, Penn State’s, and the broader national security landscape
• Build and lead comprehensive, high performing and collaborative teams across engineering, scientific, and support personnel; foster a culture of excellence, cohesion and professional development
• Lead interdisciplinary R&D programs from concept to delivery, ensuring technical rigor, mission relevance, and effective communication of program goals, outcomes and resource needs
• Manage division operations including strategic planning, budgeting, staffing, facilities challenges, proposal development, and risk mitigation to ensure growth is both sustainable and aligned
• Build and maintain strong sponsors, academic, and industry relationships, actively shaping new opportunities and positioning SSO as a central contributor to ARL’s future
• Represent the division—and as needed, the larger organization— through polished, executive level engagement with sponsors, ARL leadership, university stakeholders and strategic partners
• Lead, manage and continuously improve professional development, training and onboarding

Required skills/experience areas include:

• Active TS/SCI Security Clearance
• Demonstrated leadership in technical program and personnel management, with experience operating in high- growth, mission-driven, and research-oriented environments
• Principal Investigator, technical lead, or senior contributor on applied and basic research efforts, with a record of securing and sustaining external funding in technical areas related to electromagnetic propagation modeling and simulation, radio frequency spectrum research, electromagnetic effects, signals processing, and or general electrical engineering skill sets
• Strong executive presence and polished communication skills- able to articulate needs, requirements and impact clearly to diverse audiences in various formats
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex organizational dynamics, navigate conflict, lead through challenges and shape forward-looking strategies
• Demonstrated strength in business and/or program management capabilities, including experience managing budgets, staffing, performance management, and strategic planning
• Strong professional demeanor and interpersonal agility, with the ability to work effectively across organizational levels and with external sponsors, collaborators and partners, with a proven ability to establish credibility, influence outcomes, and build trust

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as R&D Engineer, Division Head (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 19+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as R&D Engineer, Division Head (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 14+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None

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.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $203,808.00 - $336,300.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

• 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
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children

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. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

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.