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POSITION SPECIFICS
Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA.
We are searching for a highly motivated and experienced Signal Processing Engineers to join the Signal Processing Department within the Guidance and Control Technologies (GCT) Division at the Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University. The department’s mission is to develop the processing approaches to be used with a variety of sensor data associated with the guidance and control of underwater vehicles and platforms. Applications include, for example, detection, classification, localization and tracking for antisubmarine warfare, underwater acoustic communications, and the coordinated operations of multiple undersea underwater vehicles (UUVs). The Signal Processing Department serves as a hub for the development of processing algorithms and analyses of sensor data in support of these applications.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Design and analyze the performance of signal processing algorithms in support of autonomous underwater vehicle guidance and control.
Support the implementation, integration and testing of software to demonstrate the performance of signal processing approaches.
Collaborate with teams of real-time software and hardware/test vehicle colleagues.
Document work through reports and presentations to program colleagues and sponsors.
Plan and execute programs advancing signal processing techniques associated with autonomous capabilities for current and future applications.
Additional responsibilities for higher-level positions include:
Investigate and evaluate applicability of theories and practices to the development of guidance and control systems.
Direct and/or participate in major proposal preparation and presentation.
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
Algorithm development and analysis spanning object detection, classification, localization and tracking, data fusion and/or autonomous decision-making.
Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills demonstrated through successful proposal writing, program reports and/or presentations.
Willingness and ability to travel to represent ongoing programs with sponsors and support test events.
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
Technology development involving beamforming, filtering, detection, classification, localization, tracking and machine learning as applied to underwater and other applications.
Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills demonstrated through successful proposal writing, program reports and/or presentations.
Willingness and ability to travel to represent ongoing programs with sponsors and support test events.
Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or Data Science.
Ability to advance signal processing and autonomy concepts from research to application through design, integration, and test phases.
Collaboration within multi-disciplinary teams for developing and implementing guidance and control functionality.
Software design using MATLAB, Python, and/or C++.
Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as R&D Engineer - Signal Processing (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 19+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as R&D Engineer - Signal Processing (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 5+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as R&D Engineer - Signal Processing (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 14+ years of relevant experience 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 website 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 $121,704.00 - $265,704.00.
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 in engineering or science
- At least 5 years of relevant experience for the Advanced Professional level
- At least 14 years of relevant experience for the Senior Professional level
- At least 19 years of relevant experience for the Principal Professional level
- Experience developing and analyzing signal-processing algorithms, including beamforming, filtering, detection, classification, localization, tracking, or machine learning
- Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
- Willingness and ability to travel for sponsor representation and test events
- U.S. citizenship
- Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance
- Ability to use MATLAB, Python, and/or C++ for software design
- Ability to advance signal-processing and autonomy concepts from research through design, integration, and testing
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher
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.
