Embedded Systems Department Head

Position Specifics

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 Department is dedicated to developing embedded hardware and software solutions and driving integration of complex systems. The department focuses on real‑time control and data acquisition, edge‑computing architectures, modular system architecture definition, integration methodologies, and test‑set development, including hardware‑in‑the‑loop and software‑in‑the‑loop.

In this role, you will lead and manage all aspects of the Embedded Systems Department, providing strategic direction, technical leadership, and operational oversight. You will also establish partnerships with customer program offices, defense contractors, systems integrators, and other government laboratories to transition cutting‑edge embedded capabilities to operational platforms for the warfighter.

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 all transitioning military members to apply.

Your working location will be fully on‑site located in State College, PA, with periodic travel to remote locations.

• 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 pertinent to systems of interest to the division, including missiles, hypersonics, and 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 (e.g., maritime, aerospace, ground vehicles, unmanned systems)
• Past success using edge device deployment in operational environments, including size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints, 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 and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required.

• If filled as R&D Engineer,…