Deputy Division Head

Penn State University•University Park, IL

7d•$161,004 - $298,800•Onsite

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. MSA comprises four departments: Advanced Manufacturing Process Development, Materials Characterization, Materials for Extreme Environments, and Electronic Materials and Devices. The division develops and applies advanced manufacturing technologies to enhance military capabilities, including conceiving, developing, characterizing, and transitioning innovative materials and manufacturing processes for defense applications. The position may be filled as a Research and Development Engineer or as non-tenure Research Faculty. The Deputy Division Head collaborates with the Division Head and personnel to maintain sponsor and stakeholder relationships, support personnel development and performance management, and help manage equipment and facilities. The role contributes to multidisciplinary proposals and technical projects, develops business opportunities, and supports program planning and execution. Higher-level responsibilities include coordinating technical resources, managing risks, representing the division with sponsors and partners, ensuring compliance, leading research and business development, and acting for the Division Head as delegated. The position is fully on-site in State College, Pennsylvania, and requires periodic travel to remote locations. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have an active security clearance at the Top Secret level or higher. Employment is subject to 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.

Requirements

Active security clearance at the Top Secret level or higher.
U.S. citizenship.
For the R&D Engineer, Principal Professional level: bachelor's degree in Engineering or Science and 19 or more years of relevant experience.
For the R&D Engineer, Advanced Professional level: bachelor's degree in Engineering or Science and 5 or more years of relevant experience.
For the R&D Engineer, Senior Professional level: bachelor's degree in Engineering or Science and 14 or more years of relevant experience.
Ability to participate in the design, development, implementation, and analysis of products and systems to meet technical and operational requirements.
Ability to direct investigations and evaluations of scientific theories and engineering principles in practical applications.
Ability to participate in laboratory and field experiment and testing activities, including planning, execution, and analysis.
Ability to support preparation of technical reports, documentation, proposals, research papers, and presentations.
Must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance and comply with ARL drug testing and applicable electronic and physical monitoring requirements.

Nice To Haves

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

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 employee performance evaluations, performance reviews, and professional development.
Assist with acquiring, maintaining, and disposing of equipment and facilities that support division efforts.
Assist multidisciplinary teams in developing and executing proposals and technical projects.
Identify, develop, and pursue 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 that could affect project execution or outcomes.
For higher-level positions, delegate research and development authority as appropriate and establish accountability for subordinate managers and individual contributors.
For higher-level positions, serve as a technical and managerial contact for sponsors, partners, and stakeholders, and represent the division in meetings, reviews, and external collaborations as delegated.
For higher-level positions, ensure compliance with DoD, University, ARL, safety, security, and export control requirements across assigned programs and activities.
For higher-level positions, lead development of research concepts, technologies, and capabilities.
For higher-level positions, lead business development, including identifying funding opportunities, developing white papers, and supporting proposal preparation.
Review and contribute to technical reports, publications, and presentations.
For higher-level positions, lead teams of engineering managers, scientists, and organizational leaders 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 consistently and facilitating communication across the organization.
Participate in the design, development, implementation, and analysis of products and systems to meet technical and operational requirements.
Direct investigations and evaluations to assess practical applications of scientific theories and engineering principles.
Participate in planning, executing, and analyzing laboratory and field experiments and testing activities.
Support the development and preparation of technical reports, documentation, proposals, research papers, and presentations.