Strategic and Technical Coordination; SRTC Research and Development Engineer

Position

We are seeking a Research and Development Engineer for the Strategic Requirements and Technical Coordination (SRTC) Department, within the Spectrum and Signatures Solutions Division (S3) under the All-Domain Analytics and Signatures Office (A2SO) of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. S3 specializes in research, development and application of technical solutions aimed at understanding, shaping and exploiting the electromagnetic environment to maintain advantage.

S3 consists of 5 departments:
Applied Electromagnetics and Signature Management;
Electromagnetic Effects and Applications;
Applied Signals and System Integration;
Comprehensive Software Solutions;
Strategic Requirements and Technical Coordination (SRTS). SRTS provides awareness of emerging Strategic Requirements from the Special Operations, Sensitive Technical Operations, and key Intelligence Community partners. The department provides Technical Coordination and Support to this community by supporting the design and implementation of technologies to support unique requirements. The SRTC Deputy Department Head will report to the SRTS Department Head and assist in managing the department’s research engineers and program managers, liaising with Division Leadership in State College.

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 transitioning military members to apply.

• Provide strategic and technical leadership within the Strategic Requirements and Technical Coordination (STRC) department and, as applicable, direct support to S3 Division and the Lab’s Mission
• Support the development of technologies and operations to support an extremely sensitive and high-risk sponsor base
• Maintain awareness of technology expertise across the ARL and actively pair that expertise with sponsors early in the development/design of sensitive technologies
• Maintain awareness of emergent requirements and needs within the Special Operations, Special Technical, and Intelligence Communities, and pair those requirements with capability providers within ARL
• Support the geographically displaced Program/Project Management team at multiple sponsor critical locations including University Park, PA
• Build and lead comprehensive, high performing and collaborative teams across engineering, scientific, and support personnel in support of Sponsor requirements
• Build and maintain strong academic and industry relationships, actively shaping new opportunities and positioning STRC as a critical mission partner across ARL divisions and offices
• Secure funding and lead interdisciplinary R&D programs from concept to delivery, ensuring technical rigor, mission relevance, and effective communication of program goals, outcomes and resource needs
• Be prepared to travel as required for sponsor engagements, technology conferences, and potential OCONUS testing and evaluation
• Manage department operations including strategic planning, budgeting, staffing, and proposal development
• Foster a culture of excellence, cohesion and professional development; lead comprehensive, high performing and collaborative teams across engineering, scientific, and support personnel; embrace ARL’s mission to discover, demonstrate, transition, and educate
• Act as Department Head in the absence

• Active TS/SCI Security Clearance
• Deep understanding of the current Strategic Operational Environment, including DoD guidance and planning
• Experience working directly for, or within Special Operations, Special Mission, or Intelligence Community units/activities, and the ability to liaise with these partners
• Demonstrated leadership in technical program and personnel management in high-growth, mission-driven, and research-oriented environments
• Experience as a Principal Investigator, Technical Lead, Operational or Compartmented Planner, or senior contributor on applied and basic research efforts to support sensitive activities
• Strong executive presence and polished communication skills able to articulate needs and impact clearly to diverse audiences
• Demonstrated ability to…