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- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Your working location will be fully on-site located in Reston, VA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.
We are searching for an experienced Cybersecurity Engineering Manager to oversee team operations for the SPS Cyber/ITS team in the Information Technology Services Division of the Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State. This role will focus on and oversee the Special Programs spaces from the information technology, cybersecurity, and compliance perspective. You will lead a team responsible for secure system design, support, compliance, documentation, and continuous monitoring within classified and sensitive research environments.
You will:
Lead and mentor a team of information technology, information security, and cybersecurity professionals, to include hiring, workforce development, performance management, and succession planning
Develop, validate, submit, and maintain information system security plans, certification and authorization packages, security documentation, and plans of action and milestones in support of compliance requirements
Oversee design, configuration, security, and systems support, ensuring security controls are properly implemented and maintained
Oversee development and implementation of risk assessments against the information system lifecycle
Monitor and assist in the assessment of existing and emerging systems and networks to ensure alignment with current cybersecurity policies, concepts, and security measures
Promote cybersecurity awareness by developing training material related to compliance and audit requirements to support employees with audits and security expectations
Provide technical leadership in vulnerability scanning, review of security/event log review, network analysis, and incident response to support secure operations
Collaborate with operational and research leadership to ensure cybersecurity requirements are integrated throughout ARL processes
Required skills/experience areas include:
Assessment and authorization of systems and networks using RMF
NIST/ISO standards (e.g. 800-53), Department of Defense directives, DISA STIG, and regulatory requirements
Strong technical background with significant experience using multiple operating systems, such as Windows and Linux
Policy, procedure, plan of action and milestone, risk assessment, and security plan development with experience monitoring for compliance
Working knowledge of system functions, security policies, technical security safeguards, and operational security measures
Management or leadership experience in the information technology and security space
The ability to certify and maintain information security related certifications (eg. Security+ and CISSP)
Success in an office environment, where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
Success working both independently and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary, team-oriented culture
Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) level with minimum of CI polygraph
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
A Bachelor’s degree in Information Security, Information Technology, or Computer Science
Vulnerability scanning and mitigation utilizing Nessus, SCAP Compliance Checker, or a similar tool
Networking fundamentals, including various concepts, tools, and administrative functions
SEIM management or use for analysis, such as Splunk
VMWare and management of Virtual Machines
Training material development
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree 8+ years of relevant experience, includes 3+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $146,040.00 - $240,960.00. This salary range includes an adjustment based on required geographic work location.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years of supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience assessing and authorizing systems and networks using the Risk Management Framework (RMF)
- Experience with NIST/ISO standards, including NIST SP 800-53, Department of Defense directives, DISA STIGs, and regulatory requirements
- Strong technical experience with multiple operating systems, including Windows and Linux
- Experience developing policies, procedures, plans of action and milestones, risk assessments, and security plans, with compliance monitoring
- Working knowledge of system functions, security policies, technical security safeguards, and operational security measures
- Management or leadership experience in information technology and cybersecurity
- Ability to obtain and maintain information security certifications such as Security+ and CISSP
- Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level with a minimum CI polygraph
- U.S. citizenship
- Experience with vulnerability scanning and mitigation using Nessus, SCAP Compliance Checker, or a similar tool
- Networking fundamentals, including networking concepts, tools, and administrative functions
- SIEM management or analysis experience, such as Splunk
- VMware and virtual machine management experience
- Training material development experience
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
Penn State University Insights
What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
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