Maritime Systems Research and Development Engineer - Springfield, VA

Position Overview

Research & Development Engineer to join the Systems Engineering and Rapid Prototyping (SERP) Division of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State, serving as a Maritime Systems Project Manager at a customer site in Springfield, VA. This position is embedded within a government program office and requires prior Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) experience in technology development and program management.

The selected candidate will perform inherently governmental functions with significant program management responsibilities.

• Plan and manage elements of an applied undersea research and development program to improve existing capabilities or develop new capabilities to satisfy Naval Intelligence requirements.
• Utilize project management, systems engineering, contract management, and acquisition best practices to transition advanced undersea systems to a diverse set of mission partners.
• Advise senior officials on topics related to unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs), autonomous undersea vehicles (AUVs), robotics, autonomy, power and energy, advanced sensors, and other advanced ocean systems.
• Maintain liaison with internal and external organizations including other intelligence agencies, academia, laboratories, and operational forces to discuss requirements, technologies, and provide timely information to senior decision makers.
• Lead the development of acquisition plans and strategy, method of solicitation, most suitable type of contract, projected lead time, and contracting packages.

• Conduct and coordinate complex research and development efforts to develop new systems and systems of systems, execute technology transition agreements with internal and external mission partners, and transition developed technologies to DoD and IC mission partners.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of highly technical performers to solve complex engineering, development, test, and evaluation challenges to satisfy DoD and IC requirements.

• Experience serving in a research & development engineering role for a DoD/IC technology development program (required).
• Experience serving as a program manager or project lead for a DoD/IC technology development program (preferred).

• Broad experience in one or more of the following technology areas: undersea vehicles, autonomous systems, sensors (acoustic, EO/IR, other novel phenomenology), electronic warfare, communication systems (acoustic, fiber, RF), materials science, advanced manufacturing, systems engineering.
• Active Top Secret clearance with eligibility for access to sensitive compartmented information (TS/SCI).
• Ability to complete a counter‑intelligence scope polygraph (post‑hire).
• U.S. citizenship.

• Principal Professional:
  Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Science + 19+ years of relevant experience.
• Advanced Professional:
  Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Science + 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Senior Professional:
  Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Science + 14+ years of relevant experience.

Work location will be fully on‑site in Springfield, VA with occasional travel to State College, PA and other locations. Hiring contingent upon government customer approval.

Salary range is $ – $. Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; robust retirement plans; paid time off (holidays, vacation, sick time); and a 75% tuition discount for employees, spouses, and children.

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 .