Embedded Software Department Head (FACULTY)

The Pennsylvania State University•University Park, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) is seeking a Department Head for its Embedded Software (ES) department. ARL researches and develops solutions to scientific, engineering, and technology challenges in support of the U.S. Military and other federal customers. The ES department designs, builds, tests, and delivers software and firmware for undersea systems, including Science & Technology demonstrations, Engineering Development programs, and In-Service system programs. It is the leading resource for the Undersea Systems Office in real-time embedded software and firmware design, development, integration, and testing. The position may be filled as a Research and Development Engineer or as non-tenure Research Faculty. The Department Head develops a high-performing workforce; sets technical vision and strategy; oversees software engineering and delivery; guides embedded software and firmware architecture and development; and establishes engineering policies, processes, and standards. The role works with office, division, and laboratory leadership to ensure strong engineering execution, prioritize work, allocate resources, and support programs. Higher-level positions also lead major research and development initiatives and strategic growth activities, including customer engagement, business development, and proposal development. The position is fully on-site in State College, Pennsylvania, with project-dependent options for hybrid work. Periodic travel to remote locations may be required. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and eligible to obtain a government security clearance. Employees must participate in ARL’s drug testing program and comply with applicable electronic and physical monitoring requirements. Non-tenure faculty rank will be commensurate with education and experience.

Requirements

Experience managing projects, people, and technical teams, including demonstrated leadership and the ability to establish and achieve organizational goals and objectives.
Demonstrated experience leading technical teams and providing technical direction in the development and delivery of complex engineering systems.
Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, and developing technical personnel.
Experience designing and developing embedded real-time, multithreaded software, FPGA/CPLD firmware, or hardware design, including experience with C/C++ and modern embedded development tools and environments.
Effective verbal and written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Active security clearance at the Secret level or higher, or the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
U.S. citizenship.
Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance and comply with ARL’s drug-testing and electronic and physical monitoring requirements.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related STEM discipline; an advanced degree is preferred.
Experience leading engineering teams and mentoring technical staff in a research, development, or product-focused environment.
Experience managing multiple technical projects, balancing workforce priorities, and allocating resources to meet program objectives.
Experience developing technical proposals, supporting business development activities, or leading strategic growth initiatives.
Experience working within DoD, Navy, defense research, or other government-sponsored programs.
Past success establishing technical roadmaps, guiding architecture decisions, and aligning departmental capabilities with strategic business and research objectives.

Responsibilities

Develop and sustain a high-performing workforce through coaching, mentorship, succession planning, talent development, and employee engagement.
Establish the department’s technical vision and strategic direction, aligning capabilities, resources, and investments with office, division, and laboratory objectives.
Direct and oversee the software engineering function in developing, releasing, and maintaining software and firmware applications to meet program, customer, and business needs.
Guide architecture, design, development, integration, and testing of embedded software and firmware solutions for autonomous and undersea systems.
Foster technical excellence, innovation, continuous improvement, and adherence to software engineering best practices.
Establish and maintain policies, processes, and standards for high-quality products, including coding principles, engineering tools, and development methodologies.
Coordinate with office engineering leadership to ensure rigorous execution, sound research and engineering practices, and high technical standards.
Collaborate with division and office leadership to prioritize work, allocate resources, manage staffing requirements, and support current and future programs.
For higher-level positions, lead major research and development initiatives and shape the department’s long-term research and technology portfolio.
For higher-level positions, lead strategic initiatives through customer engagement, business development activities, and proposal development.