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 State College, PA. This position will require periodic travel to remote locations (including the Electro-Optics & Electronics (EOE) Freeport Office near Pittsburgh, PA) in support of collaboration and testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers, and technologists.
We are searching for a Research & Development Engineer to join our EOE Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. EOE develops innovative optical solutions for imaging, high-energy laser (HEL) delivery, and sensing systems, and maintains the design and testing capabilities required to build and fully characterize all aspects of optical performance – from image quality to HEL coating damage testing. This role will lead and conduct basic and applied research of advanced electro-optical designs, including metasurfaces, photonic structures and other emerging material and nano-science applications. You will have the ability to take on challenges where the path the research may take is not clear, and the outcome is not known or guaranteed.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Act as part of team leadership that operates in this ambiguous space and develops the executable plan for the rest of the team
Perform physics-based modeling to predict the performance of imaging system concepts and designs
Drive system level trade studies to develop architectures and allocate system level requirements across subsystems and engineering disciplines
Routinely interface with sponsors, customers, end-users, and collaborators to understand their problems, brainstorm solutions, scope research, communicate the technical aspects of research execution, and convey the significance of results
Provide input to the strategic direction of the department’s research pursuits by helping to establish the appropriate core competencies and evaluating where our capabilities best align with a sponsor’s needs
Additional responsibilities of the higher-level include:
Leverage prior first-hand experience with building and testing advanced, state-of-the-art electro-optic systems
Track the latest developments in electro-optic systems and advise on how and when to integrate them into on-going and future research opportunities.
Perform project planning, budgeting, and scheduling
Manage vendors and suppliers, from purchase orders through statements of work
Lead other engineers in day-to-day tasking to satisfy stakeholder’s requirements and expectations
Independently manage multiple and/or large electro-optic projects
Develop and propose solutions for new applications
Perform the role of Trusted Agent to the government to assess and validate state-of-the art electro-optic systems and solutions
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment and meet project schedule requirements
Direct experience with the design, analysis, procurement, assembly and testing of components and complete electro-optic and infrared (EO/IR) systems for military applications
Microelectronic systems and detector fabrication processes
Success in a multitude of optical and electrical materials and systems
Success operating as a systems engineer for imaging systems
Familiarity with photonic structures and other optical metamaterial designs approaches
Active security clearance, at the secret level, with eligibility for TS/SCI
Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:
Experience within an organization responsible for manufacturing EO/IR systems
Direct experience with visible and infrared imaging system design and characterization
Strong knowledge of electro-optical metamaterial designs approaches
Radiometry (analysis and laboratory measurements), development of link budgets, prediction of sensor response, and image quality metrics
Significant experience with electro-optic designs that extend the electro-optic state-of-the-art
Significant experience bringing together distributed teams to achieve multiplied results
Active security clearance at the TS/SCI level or higher
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as R&D Engineer - Optical and Photonic 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 - Optical and Photonic Systems (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
14+ years of relevant experience
Required Certifications:
NoneARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.
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.SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $140,004.00 - $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.
Job details are sourced from the employer's original posting.
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