Deputy Division Head
About The Position
Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) is seeking a Deputy Division Head for the Materials Science & Applications (MSA) Division within the Materials, Manufacturing and Sustainment Office. The position is fully onsite in State College, Pennsylvania, and requires periodic travel to remote locations. The MSA Division comprises four departments: Advanced Manufacturing Process Development, Materials Characterization, Materials for Extreme Environments, and Electronic Materials and Devices. Its mission is to develop and apply advanced manufacturing technologies that enhance military capabilities by conceiving, developing, characterizing, and transitioning innovative materials and manufacturing processes for defense applications. The Deputy Division Head works with the Division Head and division personnel to maintain sponsor and stakeholder relationships, recruit and develop personnel, support performance evaluation, manage equipment and facilities, contribute to multidisciplinary research and proposal efforts, identify business opportunities, and support program planning and execution. The position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or non-tenure Research Faculty. Depending on the level, additional duties include coordinating technical resources, managing risks, representing the division, ensuring compliance with applicable requirements, leading research and business development, and acting for the Division Head as delegated. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have an active security clearance at the Top Secret level or higher. Employment also requires successful background checks, eligibility to obtain a government security clearance, participation in ARL’s drug testing program, and compliance with applicable electronic and physical monitoring requirements. Employees work in a secure information environment and may be subject to restrictions on personal electronic devices brought onsite. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes transitioning military members to apply.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science.
- Relevant experience varies by appointment level: 5 or more years for Advanced Professional, 14 or more years for Senior Professional, or 19 or more years for Principal Professional.
- Active security clearance at the Top Secret level or higher.
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance and comply with ARL drug-testing and electronic and physical monitoring requirements.
- No certifications are required for the listed R&D Engineer levels.
Nice To Haves
- Experience or interest in supporting defense applications and military capabilities.
- Transitioning military members are welcome to apply through ARL’s DoD SkillBridge partnership.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Division Head and division personnel to establish, strengthen, and maintain relationships with key sponsors and stakeholders.
- Support recruiting, developing, and retaining qualified division personnel.
- Assist with evaluating employee performance, conducting performance reviews, and supporting professional development.
- Assist with acquiring, maintaining, and disposing of equipment and facilities supporting division efforts.
- Assist multidisciplinary teams in developing and executing proposals and technical projects.
- Identify, develop, and pursue new business opportunities with existing and prospective sponsors.
- Support planning, staffing, and execution of programs to align with organizational objectives and sponsor requirements.
- For higher-level positions, coordinate technical resources, manage risks, and resolve issues affecting project execution or program outcomes.
- Delegate research and development authority as appropriate and establish accountability for subordinate managers and individual contributors in assigned areas.
- Serve as a technical and managerial point of contact for sponsors, partners, and stakeholders, and represent the division in meetings, reviews, and external collaborations as delegated.
- Ensure compliance with DoD, University, ARL, safety, security, and export control requirements across assigned programs and activities.
- Lead development of new research concepts, technologies, and capabilities.
- Lead business development, including identifying funding opportunities, developing white papers, and supporting proposal preparation.
- Review and contribute to technical reports, publications, and presentations.
- Lead teams of engineering managers, scientists, and organizational leadership to align technical efforts across programs, laboratories, and divisions.
- Act on behalf of the Division Head as delegated, applying division policies, processes, and performance expectations and facilitating organizational communication.
- Participate in designing, developing, implementing, and analyzing products and systems to meet technical and operational requirements.
- Direct investigations and evaluations of the practical application of scientific theories and engineering principles.
- Participate in planning, executing, and analyzing laboratory and field experiments and testing activities.
- Support preparation of technical reports, documentation, proposals, research papers, and presentations.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Retirement plans.
- Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time.
- 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible spouses and children.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
