New

Facilities and Instrumentation Department Head

The Pennsylvania State University
paid time off, sick time, remote work
United States, Pennsylvania, University Park
201 Old Main (Show on map)
Oct 08, 2025
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. 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, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants. POSITION SPECIFICS We are searching for an experienced fluids and acoustics researcher to lead the Facilities and Instrumentation Department in the Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics Office (FDAO) at The Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. Facilities Support maintains all Garfield Thomas Water Tunnel (GTWT) testing facilities and testing assets, while Instrumentation Support maintains and develops electronic and data acquisition assets and sensor applications for all GTWT facilities and test articles. This position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non-tenure Research Faculty. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply. You will: Oversee the maintenance and operations of FDAO research testing facilities, including water tunnels, rotor balancing facility, instrumentation and calibration devices, flow-through anechoic chamber, pump loop, and reverberation tank; assist with planning and budgeting for facility needs and department funds including data acquisition equipment, facility upgrades, and maintenance Manage aspects of mechanical/electrical design, fabrication, inspection, testing; Provide guidance and collaborate with engineers and technicians throughout the experimental evaluation process, including delivery of prototype mechanical systems to be tested in ARL facilities or in field testing programs Collaborate with Principal Investigators (PI), test engineers, and sponsors to coordinate and conceptualize solutions for experimental evaluations data acquisition plans, data resources, programming, and test implementation Lead conversations with vendors regarding fabrication costs and schedules to facilitate the manufacture of hardware and equipment for facility-related maintenance and improvements Interact and collaborate regularly with program management, program sponsors, and stakeholders; Provide project updates to sponsors Recruit, define performance expectations and goals, provide mentorship, and regularly evaluate and offer constructive feedback through conversation and performance reviews in order to support professional growth and effectively retain department staff Perform as a Principal Investigator (PI) on sponsored projects Lead and provide engineering support and evaluations on research tasks or projects Required skills/experience areas include: Fluids, acoustics, or similar testing in a research environment Research testing processes from hardware/test article development through evaluations Familiarity with data acquisition and measurement systems Use of scheduling and resource management software (MS Project or similar) Previous success with collaborations in a multi-disciplinary, team-oriented environment Demonstrated success leading teams of engineers/scientists Preferred skills/experience areas include: Oversight of fluids, acoustics, or similar testing facilities Lead in large research projects Mechanical or electrical design Master's or higher Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Science, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Industrial Engineering 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 hybrid on-site/work from home, located in State College, PA. 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 Research and Development Engineer - Principal Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 19+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 5+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as Research and Development Engineer - 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 web site 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. All positions at ARL require candidates topossess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen. SALARY & BENEFITS The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $109,300.00 - $219,600.00.THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL 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. Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines