Systems Engineer-Test

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University; State College (Centre County); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University seeks highly motivated Systems Engineers to join the Systems Engineering Department in the Undersea Systems Office. This role covers planning and execution of in-water and land-based verification activities across a program’s life cycle, from conceptual design to design verification, system integration and testing of prototype systems.

Your collaboration with ARL program management, subsystem leads, program sponsors, and external T&E

Qualifications

• Developing and executing test plans and system verification activities.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering and V&V principles.
• Hands-on experience with instrumentation, data collection, and test equipment.
• Ability to assess system performance and communicate findings clearly.
• Test documentation and configuration management.
• Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures.
• Minimum: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Science with 2+ years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and execute system-level land-based and in-water T&E across development, integration, and verification phases.
• Develop test plans, procedures, and traceability/verification matrices.
• Conduct functional, performance, environmental, and integration testing.
• Analyze test data, support root-cause investigations, and provide recommendations.
• Prepare technical reports, SITREPs, and briefings.
• Coordinate test logistics, including hardware/software readiness, range resources, data collection, transportation, and team staffing.
• Lead Test Readiness Reviews and post-test out-briefs.
• Serve as on-site Test Director for field events and lead small multidisciplinary teams.
• Manage test-related risks and develop contingency and casualty procedures.
• Participate in test-related working groups.

Skills

Systems engineering

V&V principles

Test planning

Data analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Automated test systems

Data analysis tools

Job description

We are searching for highly motivated Systems Engineers to join our Systems Engineering Department in the Undersea Systems Office at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This position will have opportunities to cover all aspects of planning and execution of in-water and land-based verification activities across a program’s life cycle, from conceptual design to design verification, system integration, qualification, platform integration, and in-water testing of prototype systems. This position requires close coordination with ARL Program Management, subsystem leads, program sponsors, and external test and evaluation (T&E) entities in the U.S. government. USO designs, develops, validates, and maintains a suite of large-scale undersea warfare models and simulations used by technology developers, analysts, the Navy, and its allies. We serve as a research center of excellence in undersea weapons, unmanned undersea vehicles, and advanced sonars. We support our national security and undersea warfare sponsors through the development and demonstration of science and technology with the expertise, tools, and processes to take concepts from the early developmental phase through transition to industry and the fleet.

You Will:

• Plan, design, and execute system-level land-based and in-water T&E across development, integration, and verification phases
• Develop test plans, procedures, and traceability/verification matrices
• Conduct functional, performance, environmental, and integration testing
• Analyze test data, support root-cause investigations, and provide recommendations
• Prepare technical reports, SITREPs, and briefings
• Coordinate test logistics, including hardware/software readiness, range resources, data collection, transportation, and team staffing
• Lead Test Readiness Reviews and post-test out-briefs
• Serve as on-site Test Director for field events and lead small multidisciplinary teams
• Manage test-related risks and develop contingency and casualty procedures.
• Participate in test-related working groups

Additional responsibilities for higher level positions:

• Lead development and fielding of test-related equipment and support systems
• Oversee program-level resource planning and deconfliction
• Develop program-level Requirements Verification Matrices
• Identify test strategies for emerging or novel capabilities
• Support system-of-systems T&E, identify gaps, and propose innovative solutions

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

• Developing and executing test plans and system verification activities
• Strong understanding of systems engineering and V&V principle
• Hands-on experience with instrumentation, data collection, and test equipment
• Ability to assess system performance and communicate findings clearly
• Test documentation and configuration management
• Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures
• Minimally requires a Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 2+ years of relevant experience

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Computer, Systems Engineering or related engineering discipline
• Automated test systems, data analysis tools, or scripting (Python, MATLAB)
• Background in testing within aerospace, defense, robotics, power systems, or similar domains
• Test range operations, environmental test standards, or compliance frameworks
• Reliability assessments, failure analysis, or TRRs
• Digital engineering and linking test artifacts to system models/requirements
• Conducting T&E outside controlled laboratory settings
• System or system-of-systems T&E experience in undersea, ground, or air domains
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required

Your working location can be fully on-site fully to start for training located in State College, PA and then a hybrid of on-site/work from home based on project-dependent ability.