Systems Manufacturing Department Head

Position Overview

We are seeking a Department Head for the Systems Manufacturing Department (SMD) of the Materials, Manufacturing, and Sustainment Office (MMSO) at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. The position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non‑tenure Research Faculty member.

The Systems Manufacturing Department is a newly established organization dedicated to bridging the critical gap between laboratory innovation and full‑scale production and lifecycle capabilities. Its mission is to enable the transition of system‑level designs from laboratory prototypes to scalable, industry‑led full‑rate production through advanced manufacturing methods and tools. The department leverages data‑driven approaches to improve the manufacturing and lifecycle maintenance of DoD systems and delivers tools to enhance manufacturing efficiency across key portions of the Defense Industrial Base.

• Contribute to the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems
• Manage department budgets, resources, and capital equipment investments
• Provide strategic vision and technical direction for the department’s research and development portfolio
• Build, mentor, and lead a diverse team of engineers, scientists, and technical staff
• Communicate technical achievements and capabilities to senior leadership and external partners
• Ensure the quality and rigor of technical deliverables and research outputs
• Guide the development of lifecycle maintenance and sustainment solutions
• Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations; correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results, and follow operations through a series of detailed steps or processes
• Conduct experiments and tests in laboratory and field environments to validate or refine theoretical concepts. This may include taking measurements, recording observations, collecting and processing data, and planning or designing experiments while supervising execution
• Initiate or contribute data, analysis, and design content for technical reports, proposals, publications, and presentations

• Support the development of a comprehensive roadmap for manufacturing technology transition initiatives
• Identify critical manufacturing challenges affecting DoD systems and the Defense Industrial Base
• Lead the development of data‑driven planning and manufacturing solutions, including digital manufacturing tools
• Establish technical partnerships with industry, academia, and other government organizations
• Build strategic relationships with Defense Industrial Base stakeholders, including shipyards and suppliers
• Coordinate with other laboratory departments to ensure integrated solutions
• Provide technical oversight and guidance on advanced manufacturing methods and tools

• Demonstrated success leading individual research projects and portfolios, including developing technical concepts, writing proposals, staffing projects, conducting research, managing budgets, and delivering high‑quality results
• Deep knowledge of advanced manufacturing technologies and methodologies, including digital manufacturing and data analytics concepts
• Manufacturing challenges in complex systems (e.g., maritime, aerospace)
• Ability to express ideas successfully to drive understanding
• Demonstrated success in writing white papers or reports
• Demonstrated success leading teams of engineers and scientists, and collaborating across large, multidisciplinary, multi‑organization projects
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher; candidates may be subject to a government background investigation to obtain or upgrade clearance eligibility, if required

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

Research and Development Engineer – Principal Professional:

• Bachelor’s Degree – Engineering or Science
• 19+ years of relevant experience
• Requ…