Deployables and Undersea Connectivity – Department Head (ARL

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.

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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

If filled as R&D Engineer, Department Head (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree
- Engineering or Science 19+ years of relevant experience Required

Certifications:

None

If…