Research Computing Software Engineer

Position Specifics

We are seeking a Research Computing Software Engineer to join the Visualization and Decision Support Division (VDS) of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. You will work within classified research and development and cloud computing (HPC) environments to develop and maintain software solutions to support the computational and data analysis needs of the research community; design, code, test, and optimize software systems that enhance research capabilities and streamline computational workflows.

The mission of VDS is to research, develop, and apply technical innovations that provide Decision Advantage to our sponsors through the use of data science, artificial intelligence, simulation, knowledge communication and virtual collaboration technologies. In this role, you will direct a team of engineers and researchers to fulfill this mission.

The position will be located in either State College, PA or Reston, VA and is not eligible for remote work.

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

• Develop, deploy, enhance, and maintain software applications and tools to support research computing needs
• Implement efficient algorithms and data structures to handle large datasets and complex computations
• Write clean, well-documented, and maintainable code using modern programming languages
• Integrate software solutions with existing research computing infrastructure, including cloud platforms
• Collaborate with other engineers and researchers to ensure seamless integration and functionality of software tools within the research environment
• Analyze and optimize the performance of software applications, ensuring they meet the high demands of computational research
• Identify and address performance bottlenecks, memory usage issues, and other technical challenges
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for software issues, assisting researchers in overcoming obstacles
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for software tools, including user guides, technical specifications, and troubleshooting procedures
• Stay up to date with advancements in software engineering and computational research technologies

• Propose and implement new features, improvements, and updates to enhance the functionality and usability of software tools
• Lead or participate in software development projects, including planning, development, testing, and deployment phases
• Manage project timelines, deliverables, and milestones to ensure successful and timely completion of software initiatives
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

• Code analysis
• Cross-team collaboration
• Data analysis
• Presentation skills
• Programming
• Software architecture
• Software development
• Software testing
• Technology acumen
• Trend analysis

• Active or recently active TS/SCI clearance
• A Master's degree in Geography is preferred

Research Computing Software Engineer - Senior Professional:
Bachelor's Degree, 6+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent combination). No required certifications.

Research Computing Software Engineer - Advanced Professional:
Bachelor's Degree, 3+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent combination). No required certifications.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background checks in accordance with University policies. All positions at ARL require the ability to obtain a government security clearance; candidates will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and will undergo a pre-employment drug screen.

Salary range: $97,100.00 - $. The proposed salary range may be impacted by geographic differential.

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, robust retirement plans, and substantial paid time off (holidays, vacation, and sick time). A generous 75% tuition discount is available to employees, eligible 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 .