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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 highly motivated Systems Engineers to join our Systems Engineering Department in the Undersea Systems Office at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This role will support the development of complex physical undersea systems, including advanced vehicles, sensors, and integrated hardware/software technologies for undersea applications. This is not an IT, cloud, or enterprise systems position. This role focuses on traditional systems engineering for defense hardware, spanning concept development, system architecture, subsystem integration, test, and transition to fielded military systems. This department's focus is on tailoring and on applying rigor using the systems engineering process. You will have the opportunity to contribute heavily to physical systems development, from conceptual definition into design, test, then transition into production. USO designs, develops, validates, and maintains a suite of large-scale undersea warfare models and simulations used by technology developers, analysts, the Navy, and its allies. We serve as a research center of excellence in undersea weapons, unmanned undersea vehicles, and advanced sonars. We support our national security and undersea warfare sponsors through the development and demonstration of science and technology with the expertise, tools, and processes to take concepts from the early developmental phase through transition to industry and the fleet.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Translate stakeholder needs into system-level requirements and architectures
Perform analysis of alternatives and develop system concepts for hardware‑centric undersea platforms and payloads
Conduct system and requirements decomposition, interface definition, and integration planning
Support model-based systems engineering (MBSE), system modeling, and hardware/software integration
Develop verification and validation strategies, test plans, and test procedures for physical prototypes and fielded systems
Participate in and support lab, dockside, and at-sea test events
Collaborate regularly with engineering teams, program sponsors, Navy partners, and program management
Identify risks, develop mitigation strategies, and support lifecycle decision-making
Additional responsibilities for higher level positions includes:
Organize and direct a multi-disciplinary and diverse engineering team
Provide technical leadership within the division programs
Plan and direct research projects that have substantial impact that extends knowledge and understanding
Propose and lead new initiatives; guide programs of national or international significance; identify future problems, research trends, and opportunities
Required skills/experience areas include:
Applying systems engineering to complex physical systems, preferably in defense, aerospace, maritime, or robotics domains
Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures
Ability to express ideas successfully to drive understanding
Past success in writing white papers or reports
Past success in a lead role, organizing, managing, and directing, multi-disciplinary teams, while contributing and assisting in project management
Past success while leading or contributing to technical proposals and white papers
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Computer, Systems Engineering or related engineering discipline.
Unmanned underwater systems development
Hardware integration, prototype testing, or system-level test events
Past success using requirements and MBSE tools (Cameo, DOORS, Jama, etc.)
Working knowledge of DoD acquisition, especially Department of the Navy systems engineering processes
Exposure to environmental qualification, hardware-in-the-loop testing, or embedded system integration
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
Your working location can be fully on-site to start for training located in State College, PA and then a hybrid of on-site/work from home based on project-dependent ability. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (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 - Systems (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 - Systems (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 14+ years of relevant experience 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 $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
- Apply systems engineering to complex physical systems (defense/aerospace/maritime/robotics)
- Collaborate in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented engineering cultures
- Communicate technical ideas clearly to drive understanding
- Proven success writing white papers or technical reports
- Proven experience leading or organizing multi-disciplinary engineering teams and supporting project management
- Experience contributing to or leading technical proposals and white papers
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Science (required; specific years of experience vary by grade)
- Relevant professional experience (varies by grade: Advanced 5+ years, Senior 14+ years, Principal 19+ years)
- U.S. citizenship (must be a U.S. citizen to apply)
- Eligibility to obtain government security clearance and successful completion of background checks
- Participation in ARL drug testing program and compliance with electronic/physical monitoring requirements
- Availability to participate in lab, dockside, and at-sea test events
- Familiarity with MBSE tools and requirements tools (Cameo, DOORS, Jama)
- Unmanned underwater systems development experience
- Hardware integration, prototype testing, or system-level test event experience
- Working knowledge of DoD acquisition and Department of the Navy systems engineering processes
- Exposure to environmental qualification, hardware-in-the-loop testing, or embedded system integration
- Current eligibility or holding of Secret-level (or higher) access to classified information
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.
