Edtech.com's Summary

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Spectrum and Signature Solutions Deputy Division Head. The role involves leading interdisciplinary research and development programs and assisting in the strategic and technical leadership of the Spectrum and Signatures Solutions Division, while managing division operations, personnel, and facilities to ensure mission alignment and sustainable growth.

Highlights

Lead R&D programs from concept through delivery ensuring technical quality and mission relevance.
Assist with strategic leadership to establish the Spectrum and Signatures Solutions Division on multiple national security platforms.
Manage division operations including strategic planning, budgeting, staffing, facilities, proposals, and risk mitigation.
Maintain and foster collaboration within and across departments and with external sponsors.
Represent the division through executive engagement with sponsors and strategic partners.
Required skills: Active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility, leadership in technical program and personnel management, experience as Principal Investigator or technical lead in related fields, strong communication and organizational ability.
Preferred skills: Leadership of multi-disciplinary teams, rapid prototyping and urgent operational need program experience, field test leadership, Major Defense Acquisition Programs experience, Cameo System Modeler usage, DoD/IC security and IT framework knowledge, prior military or IC service.
Educational requirements vary by level: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Science plus 5 to 19+ years experience depending on the professional level.
Compensation ranges from $109,300 to $219,600 depending on grade and experience.
Position requires on-site work in State College, PA, with occasional travel and successful completion of background checks and drug screening.

Spectrum and Signature Solutions Deputy Division 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 Deputy Division Head for the Spectrum and Signatures Solutions Division (S3) to join All-Domain Analytics and Signatures Office of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. S3 specializes in research, development and application of technical solutions aimed at understanding, shaping and exploiting the electromagnetic environment to maintain advantage. S3 consists of 5 departments: Applied Electromagnetics and Signature Management; Electromagnetic Effects and Applications; Applied Signals and System Integration; Comprehensive Software Solutions; Strategic Requirements and Technical Coordination. You will report directly to the Division Head for the Spectrum and Signatures Solutions Division and be responsible for helping manage the division's Business Portfolio, Facilities, Research Engineers, Scientists, Technicians, and Support Personnel while providing technical and programmatic guidance to S3 Department heads. This position will 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:

Lead interdisciplinary R&D programs from concept to delivery, ensuring technical rigor, mission relevance, and effective communication of program goals, outcomes and resource needs
Assist in strategic and technical leadership for the Spectrum and Signatures Solutions Division (S3D), helping guide its emergence as a new division onto ARL's, Penn State's, and the broader national security landscape
Enable division operations including strategic planning, budgeting, staffing, facilities challenges, proposal development, and risk mitigation to ensure growth is both sustainable and aligned
Establish relationships and maintain awareness of technology and expertise across the ARL actively pairing that expertise with S3 Departments and S3 sponsors proactively collaborating across ARL to better enable mission accomplishment
Foster a culture of excellence, cohesion and professional development; lead comprehensive, high performing and collaborative teams across engineering, scientific, and support personnel
Represent the division—and as needed, the larger organization— through polished, executive level engagement with sponsors, ARL leadership, university stakeholders and strategic partners
Proactively maintain standardization of professional products in support of sponsor needs across the Division

Required skills/experience areas include:

Active DoD Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility
Demonstrated leadership in technical program and personnel management, with experience operating in high- growth, mission-driven, and research-oriented environments
Experience as a Principal Investigator, technical lead, or senior contributor on applied and basic research efforts, with a record of securing and sustaining external funding in technical areas related to electromagnetic propagation modeling and simulation, radio frequency spectrum research, electromagnetic effects, signals processing, 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
Demonstrated ability to manage complex organizational dynamics, navigate conflict, lead through challenges and shape forward-looking strategies
Demonstrated strength in business and/or program management capabilities, including experience managing budgets, staffing, performance management, and strategic planning
Strong professional demeanor and interpersonal agility, with the ability to work effectively across organizational levels and with external sponsors, collaborators and partners, with a proven ability to establish credibility, influence outcomes, and build trust

Preferred skills/experience areas include:

Leadership of multi-disciplinary teams during design, integration, and test phases
Experience in the fast-paced environments of both rapid prototyping and urgent operational need (UON) programs
Leadership of field test teams, with direct participation
Experience with programs ranging from small R&D efforts to Major Defense Acquisition Programs
Cameo System Modeler and Model Based Systems Engineering
Experience working within the security and IT frameworks applied to DoD and IC sponsored programs
Prior 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/CLEARANCES
Employment 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