Deployables and Undersea Connectivity – Department Head (FACULTY Job University Park Texas USA,Engineering

Position: Deployables and Undersea Connectivity – Department Head (FACULTY)

We are searching for a highly motivated and experienced Department Head to join our Engineering Systems Research and Development Division of the Undersea Systems Office (USO) at the Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State. This position will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Deployables and Undersea Connectivity Department (DUC). The mission of the DUC is to develop and mature technical methods and devices to connect platforms in the undersea domain, as well as bridge to above the sea-air boundary, support tethered and untethered communication techniques between stationary or moving undersea platforms, and employ these capabilities to solve the most challenging undersea communications problems.

This position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non-tenure Research Faculty.

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

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.

You will:

Technical Leadership
- Provide technical leadership by advancing the Department's research and engineering capabilities while ensuring personnel maintain the highest standards of technical excellence
Programmatic Leadership
- Lead programs and multidisciplinary teams while collaborating with laboratory leadership and external stakeholders to identify, develop, and pursue new research and business opportunities
Resource Management
- Manage departmental resources by partnering with USO leadership, Project Managers, and Principal Investigators to align staffing and resources with program priorities
Personnel Management
- Lead personnel development by establishing performance expectations, conducting performance evaluations, identifying professional development opportunities, and recruiting, retaining, and mentoring high-performing engineering, research, faculty, and student staff
Lead experiment driven applied research and development to deliver innovative technical solutions that support sponsors and national security missions
Plan, staff, and execute programs to ensure departmental personnel are effectively utilized and aligned with organizational goals and customer needs
Foster a culture of innovation by encouraging collaboration, technical growth, and the exploration of emerging technologies and research opportunities

Additional responsibilities for higher-level positions includes:

Leading small to medium sized teams from concept development through prototype capability demonstration in relevant environments
Developing and maintaining relationships with external organizations and sponsors

Non-tenure faculty rank will be commensurate with education level and experience.

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

Managing programs, people, and a demonstrated capability to set and meet goals and objective
Development of system test and verification plans
Underwater acoustics and communication methods
Mechanical and optical properties of fiber optic cabling, its deployment, and the fundamentals of data transmission
Electronic design and RF communication devices and techniques
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

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:

Proven history of identifying sponsor needs and developing proposals to address those needs
Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures
Experience in the design and testing of tethered and untethered undersea deployable devices (buoys, sensors, tow bodies, etc.)
Master’s Degree or PhD in a relevant field

Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL):
Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas.

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition…