Fluids Machinery 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 Fluids Machinery Department within the Fluid Mechanics Division. The role directs and contributes to the work and growth of a team focused on designing, analyzing, and testing turbomachinery and devices for fluid motion and control. Work spans fundamental physics through fabricated devices, and small-scale models through full-scale propulsion systems for unmanned underwater vehicles, surface ships, and submarines. Mentorship and business development are significant components of the position. The position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or non-tenure Research Faculty. Non-tenure faculty rank will be commensurate with education and experience. The role is fully onsite in State College, Pennsylvania, and requires periodic travel to remote locations. The department head will provide organizational and technical leadership, oversee sponsored research and development work, build relationships with sponsors and stakeholders, and support proposal development. Higher-level responsibilities include setting technical vision and standards, leading projects, developing staff, representing the organization, and ensuring compliance with applicable requirements. ARL researches and develops solutions to scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intelligence Community, and other federal government customers. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and eligible to obtain a government security clearance. Employment also requires successful background checks, participation in ARL’s drug testing program, and compliance with monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors.

Requirements

Experience in fluid mechanics or aerodynamics.
Experience taking an idea from concept through design and analyses into test-validated hardware.
Proposal-writing experience and a record of securing funding.
Past success leading technical personnel.
Past success managing sponsored programs.
Strong technical and interpersonal presentation and communication skills.
Experience designing and executing experiments using wind or water facilities.
Active security clearance at the Secret level or higher.
U.S. citizenship.
Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance, participation in the ARL drug testing program, and compliance with applicable electronic and physical monitoring requirements.
Successful completion of required background checks.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
Numerical modeling of fluids and systems using MATLAB or Simulink.
Experience with solid modeling and CAD systems.

Responsibilities

Provide organizational leadership to a growing group of engineers, including employee management, recruitment, development, retention, and technical direction.
Direct technical excellence, cost control, and on-time delivery of work.
Lead technical execution of research, design, development, and testing of turbomachinery systems for U.S. Government and industry customers.
Provide subject matter expertise in turbomachinery, fluid dynamics, and cavitation.
Develop and maintain long-term professional relationships with sponsors and relevant stakeholders.
Oversee development of proposals for new programs.
Embrace ARL’s mission to discover, demonstrate, transition, and educate.
For higher-level positions, provide technical and managerial leadership for research and development programs, establishing technical vision, priorities, and standards across one or more engineering disciplines.
Lead and oversee small or moderate-size and scope projects, ensuring technical rigor, feasibility, quality, cost effectiveness, and timely execution.
Guide concept development, design analyses, and problem resolution by independently evaluating and applying appropriate scientific and engineering methods to meet sponsor and customer needs.
Manage, mentor, and develop engineering staff, including hiring, performance management, workforce planning, and professional development.
Serve as a primary technical and managerial point of contact for sponsors and partners; maintain external research relationships and contribute to business development through identification of funding opportunities and proposal development.
Review and author technical reports, publications, and presentations; represent the organization in technical reviews and collaborations.
Ensure compliance with applicable DoD, University, safety, security, and export control requirements, while collaborating across teams to advance organizational goals.