Department Head – Advanced Optical Systems

Penn State University • Freeport, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Electro-Optics and Electronics (EOE) Division of the Materials, Manufacturing, and Sustainment Office (MMSO) at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University is seeking a Department Head for the Advanced Optical Systems (AOS) Department. AOS develops innovative optical solutions for imaging, high-energy laser delivery, and sensing systems, and maintains the design and testing capabilities required to build and fully characterize all aspects of optical performance—from image quality to HEL coating damage testing. This position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non-tenure-track Research Faculty member. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field such as Physics, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, and a minimum of ten years of experience managing projects related to sensor command and control
• Leading and managing projects supporting Department of Defense (DoD) applications
• Broad understanding of optical systems, including design and tolerancing of optical lens systems to meet performance requirements, and validation methods such as stray light, thermal performance, MTF, distortion, and vignetting
• Optical design and analysis software (e.g., Zemax, CODE V, TracePro, FRED)
• Current coating and optics fabrication techniques and their limitations
• Optical system development, including materials and photonic processes used in cutting-edge designs
• Success in an office environment, where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
• Demonstrated success transitioning technology from laboratory development to implementation
• At least five years of supervisory or project leadership experience

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in a related field
• Significant leadership experience
• Emerging optical design approaches such as broadband systems, optical metasurfaces, gradient-index lenses, and other advanced designs
• Systems engineering experience and/or training
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher; may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required

Responsibilities

• Provide organizational leadership to the Advanced Optical Systems Department, including employee management, recruitment, development, and retention
• Mentor staff while planning and directing high-impact research projects, expanding knowledge and understanding
• Serve as a principal investigator and program manager, leveraging subject matter expertise in optical systems and applying leadership and systems engineering principles to ensure program success
• Execute projects involving the design and development of prototype electro-optical systems for military and intelligence community applications
• Conduct basic and applied research in the development, integration, and evaluation of high-performance, novel, and complex optical designs—from concept through deployment—while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, industry partners, and government stakeholders to solve electro-optics challenges and support military and IC customers
• Lead the development of proposals and projects that advance knowledge of high-performance optical systems
• Develop and maintain long-term professional relationships with manufacturers, system integrators, and government sponsors to ensure projects meet customer requirements, uphold ARL’s position of trust, and contribute to the strategic mission of the EOE Division
• Coordinate research and development activities across disciplines, including defining scope, selecting problems for investigation, and developing novel concepts and approaches
• Devise, plan, and lead projects that solve highly complex problems impacting current product designs or addressing broader challenges for future technologies
• Propose and lead new initiatives, guide programs of national or international significance, identify emerging research trends and opportunities, and direct and/or participate in major proposal development and presentations
• Contribute to ARL’s strategic plan

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees