Research and Development Systems Engineer
State College, Centre County, Pennsylvania, 16801, USA
Listed on 2026-07-01
-
Engineering
Systems Engineer
POSITION SPECIFICS
We are searching for a highly motivated and self-starting Systems Engineer to join our Mission Systems (MS) Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State and serve as a Lead Test and Evaluation Engineer. The MS Department mission is to serve as the nexus between technology and operations, leading multidisciplinary initiatives that transform operational capabilities. Through strong partnerships and trusted stakeholder relationships, we facilitate the delivery of integrated solutions to complex, real-world challenges.
ARL is an authorized DoD Skill Bridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:- Lead, manage, test, and evaluate activities for advanced and complex systems
- Engage and collaborate independently with project sponsors and organizational stakeholders to understand requirements, align objectives, and ensure project success
- Plan, coordinate, and execute flight test programs and campaigns
- Develop test plans, procedures, and evaluation criteria for complex systems
- Support analysis of alternative solutions, gaps analysis, and trade-space analysis
- Evaluate and ensure validation of system requirements with test objectives
- Coordinate across engineering disciplines with internal and external collaborators
- Project management and supervision/mentorship of junior engineers
- Indirect supervision and mentorship of other engineers
- Monitoring and tracking of funding and budgets
- Work independently on complex assignments, review progress, and evaluate results
- Lead communications with external audiences for scheduling, coordination, and business purposes
- Represent the organization in technical exchanges and program reviews
- Technical background in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering
- 15+ years of experience managing or supervising flight tests for advanced and complex systems
- Demonstrated success in planning and executing complex test programs from concept through completion
- Test and evaluation of complex systems utilized by the Department of the Navy or Department of Defense
- Proven ability to work independently with minimal oversight while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships
- Past success effectively coordinating and collaborating with diverse project sponsors and organizational stakeholders
- Developing and maintaining a strategy and vision to achieve test and evaluation objectives
- Past success in writing white papers and proposals to pursue projects
- Demonstrated success presenting technical findings to senior leadership and decision-makers
- Ability to express ideas successfully to drive understanding
- 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
- Modeling & Simulation as applied to test and evaluation
- Past success with Mission Engineering, Concepts of Operations, and other related technologies
- Data acquisition systems, instrumentation, and telemetry
- Model Based Systems Engineering training and experience
- Systems engineering fundamentals and project management methodologies
- MATLAB, data analysis tools, or systems modeling software
- Previous success in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented culture
Your working location Reston, VA, but options exist for hybrid of on-site/work from home based on project-dependent ability. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONSIf filled as Research and Development Engineer - Principal Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
19+ years of relevant experience
Required
Certifications:
None
If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Senior Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
14+ years of relevant experience
Required
Certifications:
None
ARL's purpose is to research and…
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