Edtech.com's Summary

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Division Head for the Systems and Emerging Capabilities (SEC) Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL). This role involves leading a multidisciplinary team of about sixty scientists, engineers, and technical staff across six departments to develop innovative undersea vehicles and technologies that support the Navy, DoD, and Intel Community. The Division Head will manage project execution, staff recruitment, sponsor relationships, strategic initiatives, and will oversee proposal development and technical collaboration across ARL.

Highlights

Lead a team of approximately sixty scientists, engineers, and technical staff across six departments within the SEC Division.
Manage systems engineering, design, development, and production of complex undersea vehicle systems and technologies.
Develop proposals, manage projects, report to sponsors, and cultivate new business opportunities.
Coordinate with leadership to maintain sponsor relationships and execute strategic initiatives.
Oversee staffing, program execution, and performance evaluations for division personnel.
Highly desired technical expertise includes systems engineering (Model Based Systems Engineering), vehicle dynamics, electric vehicle technologies, power conversion/distribution, and autonomous undersea systems.
Strong leadership required for managing research projects, budgets, and mentoring employees.
Active SECRET security clearance required with potential upgrade to TS/SCI.
Minimum qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Science with 14+ years (Senior Professional) or 19+ years (Principal Professional) experience; no certifications required.
Salary range: $123,200 to $219,600, with comprehensive benefits including medical, retirement plans, paid time off, and tuition discounts.

Division Head, Systems and Emerging Capabilities (STAFF) 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 searching for a division head for the Systems and Emerging Capabilities (SEC) Division of the Undersea Systems Office (USO) at the Penn State University Applied Research Laboratory (ARL). 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). This position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non-tenure Research Faculty.

The mission of the SEC Division is to rapidly develop innovative undersea vehicles and supporting technology to solve challenging problems in the undersea domain in support of our nation's defense. You would be responsible for leading a team of approximately sixty scientists, engineers, and technical staff across six departments: Systems Engineering (SE); Electrical Power and Control Systems (EPCS); Vehicle Control and Dynamics (VCD); Project Management and Controls (PMC); Autonomy and Emerging Technology (AET); and Battery Technology (BAT). These departments support SEC's mission by executing the research, design and application of engineering development and manufacturing methodologies supporting the strategic advancement of warfighter capability at the speed of relevance.

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

You will:

Work closely with the Office leadership team to build and maintain trusted relationships with key sponsors and stakeholders, ensure the delivery of superior research products to our sponsors and develop and execute strategic initiatives
Lead a group of engineers, scientists and technical support staff that are engaged in the systems engineering, design, development and production of complex engineering systems
Lead in the development of proposals and projects that further our knowledge and expertise in the development and production of complex systems
Provide project updates to sponsors and stakeholders, and lead in development of new business for potential sponsors
Collaborate with engineers in technical areas across ARL
Oversee the planning, staffing and execution of programs to ensure all divisional staff and faculty are appropriately and sufficiently tasked at all times
Recruit, retain and define performance expectations of departments heads and all division staff and faculty
Evaluate professional growth through performance reviews

Required skills/experience areas include:

Technical experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desired:
- Systems engineering including the application of Model Based Systems Engineering to complex systems development
- Vehicle dynamics and flight control
- Electric vehicle technologies including emerging battery, electric motor and drivetrain technologies
- Experience in the development of power conversion and distribution architectures and associated hardware for vehicles
- Development of autonomous systems in the undersea domain
All aspects of leading individual and portfolios of research projects including developing technical concepts, writing winning proposals, staffing the project, conducting the research, managing budgets and delivering high quality results
All aspects of leading a research organization, including planning and managing labor across projects, managing research budgets, presenting division capabilities to sponsors, and hiring, coaching and mentoring employees
Superior writing and presentation skills
Demonstrated success leading a team of engineers/scientists, and collaborating with large teams on multi-organization, multi-disciplinary projects
Active security clearance, at the SECRET level or higher and will be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance to TS/SCI

Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position will require periodic travel to remote locations in support of testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers and technologists.

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 - 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 & BENEFITSThe salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $123,200.00 - $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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