Edtech.com's Summary

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring an Applied Signals and Systems Integration Department Head. The role involves directing a multi-domain sensing technologies team to design, program, and integrate radio and acoustic technologies into tactical military systems, managing a department of engineers, scientists, and support staff, and leading technical research and development efforts for DoD and Intelligence Community clients.

Highlights

Manage daily technical activities and oversee hiring, training, mentoring, and performance reviews for 5-10 Research and Development Engineers.
Lead strategic planning, budgeting, staffing, proposal development, and risk mitigation for the department.
Communicate frequently with sponsors and associate contractors.
Direct research, development, prototyping, and implementation of systems supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC).
Ensure technical excellence, cost control, and timely delivery of projects.
Require active Secret clearance or higher.
Experience as Principal Investigator, technical lead, or senior contributor on applied or basic research projects related to signal processing, software defined radios, RF sensors, and acoustic technologies.
Skills in digital signal processing, embedded microcontrollers, FPGA programming, electronics design, and system integration.
Preferred qualifications include TS/SCI clearance, a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, experience conducting technical design reviews and field tests, and military or Intelligence Community service.
Salary range from $109,300 to $219,600, with full-time benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, and a 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible family members.

Applied Signals and Systems Integration Department Head Full Description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

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.

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are seeking a Department Head of Applied Signals & Systems Integration to the Spectrum and Signatures Solutions Division of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. You will direct a multi-domain sensing technologies team in designing, programming, and integrating radio technologies and acoustic technologies for sensing and communication into tactical, deployable military systems. Technologies include software defined radios, acoustic modems, RF sensors, acoustic sensors that span the full spectrum of acoustic and spectral frequencies supporting operations on land, air, maritime, and space, enabling improved situation awareness and faster decision-making in complex environments. You will report directly to the Spectrum and Signatures Solutions Division Head and be responsible for managing the department's research engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel. This position works out of ARL's University Park, PA location and is not eligible for remote work. This position can be filled as a Research and Development Engineer or a non-tenure Research Faculty.

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

You will:

Manage the daily technical activities of approximately 5-10 Research and Development Engineers, as well as performing their associated hiring, training, mentoring, tasking, and performance review process
Lead Department operations including strategic planning, budgeting, staffing, facilities challenges, proposal development, and risk mitigation to ensure growth is both sustainable and aligned
Communicate frequently with sponsors and associate contractors
Lead the technical execution of research, development, prototyping, and implementation of systems for a wide range of customers in the DoD and IC
Direct technical excellence, cost control, and on time delivery of work
Oversee the development of plans and proposals for new programs
Lead and assure the proper execution of sponsored research
Foster a culture of excellence, cohesion and professional development
Lead comprehensive, high performing and collaborative teams across engineering, scientific, and support personnel
Embrace ARL's mission to discover, demonstrate, transition, and educate

Required skills/experience areas include:

Active Secret clearance or higher
Prior Principal Investigator, technical lead, program management or senior contributor on applied and basic research efforts
Proven record of securing and sustaining external funding in technical areas related to signals processing, software defined radios, RF sensors, acoustic modems and acoustic sensors that span the full spectrum of acoustic and spectral frequencies 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
Development, field-testing, delivery, and integration of technology
Electronics design and assembly
Digital Signal Processing
Embedded Microcontrollers and FPGA programing
Ability to navigate and thrive in a setting where diverse communication styles and organizational strategies are essential

Preferred skills/experience areas include:

TS/SCI security clearance
Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering
Design, orchestrate and conduct technical design reviews and field tests
Work within the security and IT frameworks applied to DoD and IC sponsored programs
Military or IC service

Your working location will be on-site in State College, PA. There will be occasional travel to designated sponsor or associate contractor locations within and outside the continental United States.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONSIf filled as Research and Development Engineer - Principal Professional, this position

requires:Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science19+ years of relevant experienceRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as Research and Development Engineer - Advanced Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science5+ years of relevant experienceRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as Research and Development Engineer - Senior Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science14+ years of relevant experienceRequired Certifications:None

ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).

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

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCESEmployment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.

SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $109,300.00 - $219,600.00.**THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL**

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.

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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Original Job Description