Embedded Systems Department Head; FACULTY

Position Overview

We are searching for a department head for the Embedded Systems Department (ESD) of the Materials, Manufacturing and Sustainment Office (MMSO) at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The embedded systems team focuses on real‑time control, data acquisition, edge computing architectures, modular system architecture definition, integration methodologies, and test set development. The chosen candidate will lead the department, provide strategic direction, technical leadership, and operational oversight, and partner with customer program offices, defense contractors, systems integrators, and other government laboratories to transition cutting‑edge embedded capabilities to operational platforms for the warfighter.

• Lead and manage all aspects of the Embedded Systems Department, providing strategic direction, technical leadership, and operational oversight.
• Support division leadership in developing and maintaining relationships with sponsors to meet funding objectives.
• Build and direct a multidisciplinary team focused on embedded systems architectures, complex systems integration, hardware-software integration, edge analytics, and mission‑critical control systems.
• Lead individual research projects and portfolios, including developing technical concepts, writing winning proposals, staffing projects, conducting research, managing budgets, and delivering high‑quality results.
• Provide technical oversight of embedded hardware and software development, ensuring quality and rigor of technical deliverables and research outputs.
• Transition cutting‑edge embedded systems capabilities to operational platforms for the warfighter.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop staff with expertise in embedded systems, edge computing, and real‑time control.
• Foster a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and mission focus.

• Support development of a comprehensive roadmap for embedded systems and integration methodologies pertaining to systems of interest to the division (missiles, hypersonics, uncrewed aerial systems).
• Establish and maintain partnerships with customer program offices, defense contractors, systems integrators, and other government laboratories.
• Build strategic relationships with Defense Industrial Base stakeholders.
• Collaborate across ARL departments and with external stakeholders to integrate embedded solutions into larger system architectures.

• Embedded hardware architectures (microcontrollers, SoCs, FPGAs).
• Real‑time operating systems (RTOS) and bare‑metal programming.
• Hardware‑software co‑design and integration.
• Edge computing and edge analytics frameworks.
• Data acquisition systems and sensor integration.
• Automated control systems and algorithms.
• Cyber‑resilient embedded system design.
• Testing methodologies (hardware‑in‑the‑loop, software‑in‑the‑loop, etc.).
• System integration methodologies.
• Embedded systems challenges in complex DoD systems (maritime, aerospace, ground vehicles, unmanned systems).
• Past success with edge device deployment for operational environments including size, weight, and power constrained designs, environmental hardening and ruggedization, real‑time performance optimization, and system security and anti‑tamper techniques.
• Past success in writing white papers or reports.
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher.

Employment will require successful completion of security background checks and eligibility to obtain a government security clearance. All employees must be eligible for a clearance, comply with the ARL drug testing program, and adhere to electronic and physical monitoring requirements.

Position is fully on‑site in State College, PA. Periodic travel to remote locations is required.

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, robust retirement plans, and a generous 75% tuition discount for employees and 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.