Strategic Requirements and Technical Coordination

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POSITION SPECIFICS
We are seeking a Department Head for the Strategic Requirements and Technical Coordination (SRTC) Department,
located in Tampa, FL,
to join our team within the Spectrum and Signatures Solutions Division (S3) under the All-Domain Analytics and Signatures Office (A2SO) at 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; and Strategic Requirements and Technical Coordination (SRTS). SRTS provides S3 and A2SO awareness of emerging strategic requirements emergent from the Special Operations, Sensitive Technical Operations, and key Intelligence Community partners. SRTS also provides technical coordination and support by providing critical developmental support and the ability to assist in the design and implementation of technologies to support unique requirements. You will report directly to the S3 Division Head and responsible for managing the department's research engineers and program managers. This position will be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non-tenure Research Faculty.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You Will:

• Provide strategic and technical leadership within the STRC department and direct support to S3 Division and ARL's Mission
• Support the development of technologies and operations to meet the needs of an extremely sensitive and high-risk sponsor base
• Maintain awareness of technology expertise across ARL and actively pair that expertise with sponsors early in the development/design of sensitive technologies
• Stay current with emergent requirements and needs within the Special Operations, Special Technical, and Intelligence Communities, and pair those requirements with capability providers within ARL
• Develop and lead a geographically dispersed program/project management team at multiple sponsor critical locations, including University Park
• Assemble and lead high-performing, collaborative teams across engineering, scientific, and support functions to meet 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 research and development programs from concept to delivery, ensuring technical rigor, mission relevance, and effective communication of program goals, outcomes, and resource needs
• 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

Required skills/experience areas include:

• Active TS/SCI Security Clearance
• Deep understanding of the current Strategic Operational Environment, to include DoD guidance and planning
• Special Operations, Special Mission, or Intelligence Community units/activities, and the ability to liaise with and through these mission partners
• Demonstrated leadership in technical program and personnel management, with experience operating in high- growth, mission-driven, and research-oriented environments
• Principal investigator, technical lead, operational or compartmented planner, or senior contributor on applied and basic research efforts to support sensitive activities or special technical delivery
• Success in environments where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
• Previous success with collaborations in a multi-disciplinary, team-oriented culture
• 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 working location will be
fully on-site at a sponsor site in Tampa, FL
. This position will require periodic travel for sponsor engagements, technology conferences, and potential OCONUS testing and evaluation.

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 - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 5+ 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

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 $109, $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
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