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• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants .

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are seeking a Division Head for the Cyber, Modeling and Simulation (CMS) Division to join the Information Advantage Office of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. CMS specializes in d elivering full-spectrum cyberspace superiority and information dominance to the warfighter through revolutionary research, rapid development, and operational integration of cyber-electromagnetic capabilities across contested environments. CMS consists of five departments: Risk Management, Cyberspace Operations, Digital Engineering, Cloud Technology Advancement, and Cyber Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations. The Division Head will report directly to the Head of the Information Advantage Office and will be responsible for managing the division’s research engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel. This position will 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.

You Will:

• Provide strategic and technical leadership for the Cyber, Modeling and Simulation (CMS) Division, guiding its emergence onto ARL’s, Penn State’s, and the broader national security landscape

• Build and lead comprehensive, high performing and collaborative teams across engineering, scientific, and support personnel; foster a culture of excellence, cohesion and professional development

• Lead interdisciplinary R&D programs from concept to delivery, ensuring technical rigor, mission relevance, and effective communication of program goals, outcomes and resource needs

• Manage division operations including strategic planning, budgeting, staffing, facilities challenges, proposal development, and risk mitigation to ensure growth is both sustainable and aligned

• Build and maintain strong sponsor, academic, and industry relationships, actively shaping new opportunities and positioning CMS as a central contributor to ARL’s future

• Represent the division—and as needed, the larger organization— through polished, executive level engagement with sponsors, ARL leadership, university stakeholders and strategic partners

• Lead, manage and continuously improve professional development, training and onboarding

• Travel to remote locations in support of testing
  

Required skills/experience areas include:

• Active TS/SCI Security Clearance

• Demonstrated leadership in technical program and personnel management, with experience operating in high- growth, mission-driven, and research-oriented environments

• Experience as a Principal Investigator, technical lead, or senior contributor on applied and basic research efforts, with a record of securing and sustaining external funding in technical areas related to electromagnetic propagation modeling and simulation, radio frequency spectrum research, electromagnetic effects, signals processing, and or general electrical engineering skill sets

• Strong executive presence and polished communication skills- able to articulate needs, requirements and impact clearly to diverse audiences in various formats

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex organizational dynamics, navigate conflict, lead through challenges and shape forward-looking strategies

• Demonstrated strength in business and/or program management capabilities, including experience managing budgets, staffing, performance management, and strategic planning

• Strong professional demeanor and interpersonal agility, with the ability to work effectively across organizational levels and with external sponsors, collaborators and partners, with a proven ability to establish credibility, influence outcomes, and build trust
  

Your work location will be fully on-site, located in Reston, VA.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Principal Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
19+ years of relevant experience
Required Certifications:
None

If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Senior Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
14+ years of relevant experience
Required Certifications:
None

ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu .

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $123,200.00 - $219,600.00.**THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL**

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page .

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .

EEO IS THE LAW

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 814-865-1473.

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