Deputy Division Head (FACULTY)

Penn State University•University Park, IL

7d•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 consists of 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 the conception, development, characterization, and transition of 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, with faculty rank commensurate with education and experience. The Deputy Division Head works with the Division Head and division personnel to sustain sponsor and stakeholder relationships, recruit and develop staff, support performance management, and oversee resources and programs. The role supports multidisciplinary proposals and technical projects, pursues new business, and helps ensure programs meet organizational objectives and sponsor requirements. Additional higher-level responsibilities include technical and managerial leadership, program risk and resource coordination, business development, compliance oversight, and acting for the Division Head when delegated. The role is fully on-site in State College, Pennsylvania, and requires periodic travel to remote locations. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an active Top Secret-level or higher security clearance. Employment also requires eligibility to obtain a government security clearance, participation in ARL’s drug testing program, and compliance with monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL works in secure environments that include Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information; personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted in certain areas.

Requirements

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 applicable electronic and physical monitoring requirements.
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 practical applications of scientific theories and engineering principles.
Ability to participate in planning, execution, and analysis of laboratory and field experiments and testing activities.
Ability to support development and preparation of technical reports, documentation, proposals, research papers, and presentations.
Successful completion of University background check(s).

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Division Head and division personnel to establish, strengthen, and maintain relationships with 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 supporting 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 in alignment with organizational objectives and sponsor requirements.
For the higher-level position, 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 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 activities, 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 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 and facilitating organizational communication.
Participate in designing, developing, implementing, and analyzing products and systems to meet technical and operational requirements.
Direct investigations and evaluations assessing practical applications 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.