Systems & Robotics Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 106,000 - 231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking highly motivated Systems & Robotics Engineers to join the ARL's Autonomy and Emerging Technology Department in State College, PA. The role focuses on autonomy, underwater robotics, and prototype integration to rapidly transition technologies to Navy sponsors.

Occasional travel to remote locations is expected for field validation and deployment. Ideal candidates have strong systems engineering, Agile development experience, and the ability to work

Qualifications

• Systems engineering for complex hardware/software systems.
• Strong analytical skills across disciplines.
• Practical experience with Agile software/system development.
• Testing and evaluating systems and subsystems.
• System architecture for integrated robotic or autonomous systems.
• Active security clearance at Secret level or higher.

Responsibilities

• Develop and integrate autonomy architectures for UxVs and design and test SSW payloads.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across lab environments.
• Build prototype architectures using SIL and HIL environments and conduct field tests.
• Engage with software team and project leads across the lab.
• Manage technical tasks, schedules, budgets and risk.
• Mentor junior engineers and ensure compliance with sponsor requirements.

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Engineering/Science

5+ years of relevant experience

2+ years of relevant experience (Intermediate)

Tools

Cameo

MagicDraw

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

Your working location can/will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations. We are searching for highly motivated Systems & Robotics Engineers to join Autonomy and Emerging Technology (AET) Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The AET Department serves as ARL’s innovation hub for developing and evaluating advanced capabilities in the Subsea and Seabed Warfare (SSW) mission space. This role will work at the intersection of autonomy, underwater robotics, and prototype system integration to rapidly transition new technologies to Navy sponsors. Our team is expanding to support the SSW mission area. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

YOU WILL

• Technical: Develop and integrate autonomy architectures for UxVs; design and test novel SSW payloads, sensors, navigation solutions, and undersea effectors; contribute to mission analysis, system architecture, and deployment strategies
• Team Collaboration: Work within a multidisciplinary team covering undersea navigation, endurance optimization, acoustic communications, environmental modeling, and autonomy enabled
• CONOPS Simulation and Test: Build prototype architectures using SIL and HIL environments and conduct field testing with unmanned platforms in representative maritime conditions
• Cross-Lab Engagement: Interact and collaborate regularly with software team, project lead and other collaborators throughout the lab

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HIGHER-LEVEL POSITION INCLUDES

• Manage technical tasks and engineering projects of varying size and complexity, including responsibility for technical performance, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and risk management
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, software developers, technicians, and external research partners to accomplish program objectives
• Ensure engineering activities comply with applicable sponsor requirements, engineering standards, quality requirements, cybersecurity policies, export control regulations, information assurance requirements, and laboratory security procedures
• Support research conducted within Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified environments while safeguarding sensitive technical information and government-furnished data
• Participate in technology transition activities, including system integration, operational demonstrations, customer evaluations, manufacturing support, and field implementation
• Identify technical risks and develop mitigation strategies to improve program execution, system performance, reliability, maintainability, and mission effectiveness
• Initiate and contribute to business development activities through technical concept development, customer engagement, proposal preparation, Independent Research and Development (IRAD) initiatives, and strategic technology planning
• Mentor and provide technical leadership to junior engineers, engineering technologists, engineering support personnel, interns, and students
• Maintain technical expertise through continued professional development, participation in technical working groups, awareness of emerging technologies, and engagement with the defense research community

REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE AREAS INCLUDE

• Systems engineering applied to complex hardware/software systems
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work across disciplines
• Practical experience with Agile software/system development
• Testing and evaluating systems and subsystems
• System architecture for integrated robotic or autonomous systems
• Active security clearance, at the Secret level or higher

PREFERRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE AREAS INCLUDE

• UxV / Undersea Systems UxVs, including platforms, payloads, launch and recovery, acoustic communications, and energy management
• Oceanography, seabed features, or environmental data for autonomy
• Prior support to Navy missions or UxV fleet experimentation
• Autonomy and Mission Technologies Autonomy development (behaviors, mission planning, architectures, standards)
• Navigation for GPS denied environments
• Sensor integration, payload delivery methods, undersea effectors
• Counter UxV research or applications
• Modeling, Simulation, and Evaluation MBSE tools (Cameo, MagicDraw, etc.)
• Development or use of UxV simulation frameworks
• Maritime test and evaluation of unmanned platforms

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

• If filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 14+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None
• If filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 5+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None
• If filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 2+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $105,900.00 - $231,000.00. Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure 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. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s)