Pennsylvania State University
Operations Research and Systems Analysis Department Head (STAFF)
🇺🇸 State College, PA
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $109K - $220K
💻 Operations
🗓️ October 16th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
The Pennsylvania State University is hiring an Operations Research and Systems Analysis Department Head. This role involves leading strategic planning and execution for the ORSA Department within the Model-Based Engineering Division at the Applied Research Laboratory. The position requires working closely with leadership in the Undersea Systems Office and other programs to plan, staff, and execute projects, foster innovation, and drive business development.
Highlights
- Lead the strategic vision, goals, and plans of the ORSA Department.
- Collaborate with Undersea Systems Office leadership to manage staffing and program execution.
- Participate in customer development and business generation efforts.
- Recruit and mentor engineers, fostering innovation and research opportunities.
- Manage projects, including technical, budget, and schedule oversight.
- Utilize operations research tools such as game theory, Pareto analysis, multi-objective resource allocation, design of experiments, and multi-criteria decision support.
- Required skills include extensive operations research experience, technical project leadership, staff mentoring, and effective communication.
- Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree in a relevant field and experience in underwater domain operations research.
- Must have or be eligible for Secret level security clearance; U.S. citizenship required.
- Salary range is $109,300 to $219,600 with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, and a 75% tuition discount.
Operations Research and Systems Analysis Department Head (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 an Operations Research and Systems Analysis (ORSA) Department Head to join our Model-Based Engineering (MBE) Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The ORSA Department provides system analysis, concept of operations, and requirements analysis to external customers and for internal programs at ARL. The department utilizes a full spectrum of operations research and analysis tools including game theory, Pareto analysis, multi-objective resource allocation, random variables, physics-based assessments, design of experiments and multi-criteria decision support. This diverse team leverages expertise that spans physical sciences, electrical/industrial/mechanical engineering, computer science, and mathematics. This position may be filled as either 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:
- Develop and execute the strategic vision, goals, and plans of the ORSA Department in concert with the MBE Division, the Undersea Systems Office (USO), and ARL/Penn State
- Work closely with the leadership of all USO programs requiring ORSA expertise to properly plan, staff, and execute those programs
- Participate in new customer development efforts and business generation
- In coordination with MBE and USO leadership, define department performance expectations and ensure performance standards are met
- Recruit and retain highly capable engineers to advance the core competency of the department
- Facilitate personnel to create and explore innovative technologies and research opportunities
- Execute technical tasks as assigned by MBE and USO leadership
Additional responsibilities for higher-level positions include:
- Contribute to the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems
- Investigate and evaluate practical applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles to develop and improve various engineering systems; identify technical approach for solving problems and meeting customer/grantor needs
- Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results and follow operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes
- Conduct experiments/tests in the laboratory/field to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions on basis of research findings and experiences of others researching in related technical areas; may include taking measurements and recording observations, collecting, compiling, and processing data; may include planning/designing experiments or tests and supervising the execution thereof
- Initiate or contribute data/analysis/design for use in technical reports, documents, proposals, papers, or oral/written presentations
- Manage projects of varying size and scope, including technical elements, budget/schedule implications, and communication with sponsor(s)
- Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members, engineers, and scientists to accomplish organizational goals; provide innovative problem-solving approaches to enhance organizational capabilities
- Initiate or contribute to business development activities (i.e., white papers, proposals, etc.)
- May supervise the work of lower-level staff and undergraduate students
Required skills/experience areas include:
- Extensive operations research experience
- Leading technical projects
- Mentoring and developing staff
- Ability to express yourself and ideas successfully to others in order to provide understanding
- Demonstrated ability to work through a difficult problem, using proper steps to define and formulate ideas to reach a solution
- 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
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
- Master's Degree in Engineering, Physics, Acoustics, Mathematics, Statistics, Operations Research, or a related field
- Operations Research experience in the underwater domain, including familiarity with undersea systems
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 may require periodic travel to remote locations in support of project tasks.
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 & BENEFITSThe 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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