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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
We are searching for a Network Architect to join our Innovation and Technical Operations Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. You will be responsible for the Network Transport planning, design and implementation of large scale, complex network solutions that include all types of connectivity across different types of networks and locations, which may include 5G wireless and LEO satellite networks. Your work location is San Diego, CA
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
- Design and implement communications complex solutions (CI/CD) which can be deployed to field/remote locations to connect secure facilities and support the exchange of required data within a cloud environment
- Involved in the design and implementation of approved networking and transport solutions to support long-term Information System (IS) management goals; install and configure network equipment, and provide support to systems administrators
- Monitor computer systems to improve network performance; lead troubleshooting efforts to resolve networking issues between local and external sites
- Manage and maintain a library of network engineering tools to be used for system testing and diagnosis of network-related system issues, both locally and abroad
- Apply leading-edge principles, theories, and concepts to the development, maintenance, and implementation of network engineering standards, procedures, and guidelines
- Maintain current knowledge and implement best practices in networking security to offer the best solutions and protection to information systems
- Produce documentation to support installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and operator usage of systems
- Contribute technical content and tutorials to product documentation
- Work directly with customers to plan and strategize
Additional responsibilities for higher level position includes:
- Serve as the technical architect responsible for developing and maintaining technical architecture standards, principles, and processes
- Establish a technical architecture discipline and lead enterprise implementation and collaboration
- Lead and/or contribute to the development of technical architecture strategies for a broad range of core infrastructure and services
- Lead the review of current and future system technical architecture designs to ensure they deliver the required performance, availability, resiliency, and capacity to support business and mission critical activities
- Research architectural best practices and collaborate in establishing and implementing best practices
- Analyze, design, and plan the phases of technology systems
Required skills/experience areas include:
- Implementation and understanding of engineering principles in a professional environment
- Development, implementation, and maintenance of network architectures
- Experience maintaining, configuring, operating and troubleshooting complex electronic computer interface systems and network equipment
- Active government Top Secret security clearance
- Minimum of IAT Level 2 (CompTIA Security + and OS/Computing Environment certification)
- Working knowledge of DoD Information Assurance (IA) policies to be applied to the design and maintenance of communications solutions
- Flexibility and comfort level in a customer facing role, working within company and customer schedule requirements which may vary depending on criticality and necessity of a given task
- Ability to work independently and implementing technical solutions autonomously
- Demonstrated ability to work through difficult problems, using proper steps to define and formulate ideas to reach a solution
- Ability to represent successful completion of work in Agile Management systems (e.g. Jira, Confluence, GitLab)
Preferred certifications include:
- CCNA/CCNP
- Palo Alto PCNSE
- Juniper JNCIS/JNCIP
Your working location will be fully on-site, located in San Diego, CA and you will be working in secure facilities approximately 75% of the time. Remote work may be available in a limited capacity. Up to 25% Travel may be required to support distant end installation or break fix actions at quick notice.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
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 $119,736.00 - $197,604.00. 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 or equivalent combination of education and experience with 6+ years relevant experience
- Implementation and understanding of engineering principles in a professional environment
- Development, implementation, and maintenance of network architectures
- Experience maintaining, configuring, operating and troubleshooting complex electronic computer interface systems and network equipment
- Active government Top Secret security clearance
- Minimum of IAT Level 2 (CompTIA Security+ and OS/Computing Environment certification)
- Working knowledge of DoD Information Assurance (IA) policies applied to communications design and maintenance
- Ability to work in secure facilities (on-site in San Diego, ~75% of time) and be a U.S. citizen
- Flexibility and comfort in a customer-facing role and ability to work with varying schedules
- Ability to work independently and implement technical solutions autonomously
- Demonstrated problem-solving ability using proper steps to define and reach solutions
- Experience representing work completion in Agile management systems (e.g., Jira, Confluence, GitLab)
- Willingness/ability to travel up to 25% to support installations or break/fix actions
- CCNA or CCNP
- Palo Alto PCNSE
- Juniper JNCIS or JNCIP
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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