Strategic Systems Operation Division Head (Faculty)

The Pennsylvania State University; University Park (TX); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Competitive benefits

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a Division Head for the Strategic Systems Operations Division (SSO) within the Information Advantage Office of ARL. Hybrid on-site/wfh in State College, PA, report to the ARL leadership, manage engineers, scientists and staff, and drive new division growth in national security research.

Minimum qualification includes a Master’s in engineering or sciences and 10 years of related experience; TS/SCI clearance is required or pursued.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance required.
• Proven leadership in technical program and personnel management.
• PI/technical lead with a track record of securing external funding.
• Experience in electromagnetic propagation modeling, RF spectrum research, and EM effects.
• Strong executive presence and polished communication.
• Experience with budgeting, staffing, performance management and strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical leadership for the Strategic Systems Division (SSO).
• 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 mission relevance.
• Manage division operations including planning, budgeting, staffing, facilities, proposals and risk mitigation.
• Develop and maintain sponsors, academic, and industry relationships to shape new opportunities.
• Represent the division and ARL to sponsors, university leadership, and strategic partners.
• Lead governance and ongoing professional development and onboarding.

Skills

TS/SCI Security Clearance

Leadership

PI / Technical Lead

External Funding

EM propagation modeling

RF spectrum research

Signals processing

Electrical engineering

Education

Master's degree in 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.

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

Faculty rank will be commensurate with education level and experience. Minimally requires a Master's degree in an engineering or science discipline and 10 years related experience.

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

ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.

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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