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- 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 can/will be fully on-site located in State College, Pennsylvania.
We are searching for a proactive and technically curious Scientific Computing Engagement Specialist to join the Applied Sustainment Technologies Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The Applied Sustainment Technologies Division builds technologies that enable the autonomic nervous system of defense sustainment from smart assets and systems to a responsive enterprise. This role will support the development, integration, and maintenance of software and scientific computing solutions used across ARL research programs. You will work with engineers, researchers, programmers, and other technical personnel to develop practical software solutions, troubleshoot technical problems, and support research computing and system integration activities.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Support integration of software with research computing platforms, hardware, embedded systems, sensors, databases, networks, and other technical systems
Troubleshoot software, computing environment, system integration, and application performance issues
Assist with installation, configuration, and maintenance of software development and scientific computing environments
Collaborate with engineers, researchers, programmers, and technical staff to translate research requirements into practical computing solutions
Participate in software testing, verification, validation, documentation, and configuration-management activities
Research and evaluate new programming languages, computing tools, libraries, frameworks, and emerging technologies that may improve research capabilities
Provide technical support and guidance to researchers and other users of computing resources
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
Troubleshoot software and technical system problems methodically
Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures
Ability to communicate technical information successfully and provide effective support to technical users
Past success using one or more programming or scripting languages and the ability to learn additional technologies as project needs evolve
Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:
C, C++, C#, Python, Java, JavaScript, .NET, SQL, or similar programming languages
Linux and/or Windows computing and software-development environments
Scientific computing, data processing, automation, databases, networking, APIs, embedded systems, or hardware/software integration
Git or other version-control and configuration-management tools
Exposure to high-performance computing, cloud computing, virtualization, containers, AI/ML, or other advanced computing technologies
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
Associate Degree 2+ years of relevant 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).
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 $68,604.00 - $102,900.00.
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
- Associate degree and two or more years of relevant experience, or equivalent education and experience
- Ability to troubleshoot software and technical system problems methodically
- Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary, team-oriented environments
- Ability to communicate technical information and support technical users effectively
- Successful experience using one or more programming or scripting languages and ability to learn additional technologies
- Experience with C, C++, C#, Python, Java, JavaScript, .NET, SQL, or similar programming languages
- Experience with Linux or Windows computing and software-development environments
- Experience with scientific computing, data processing, automation, databases, networking, APIs, embedded systems, or hardware/software integration
- Experience with Git or other version-control and configuration-management tools
- Exposure to high-performance computing, cloud computing, virtualization, containers, AI/ML, or other advanced computing technologies
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher
- Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Successful completion of required background checks
- Participation in the ARL drug testing program and compliance with electronic and physical monitoring requirements
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.
