Systems Research and Development Engineer
Penn State University
State College, PAFull-time$92–201K/yrPosted 3mo agoStill listed today
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Job overview
Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory is seeking a Systems Research and Development Engineer for its Agile Systems Engineering Department. The role supports research, design, and application of engineering development methodologies for complex systems and warfighter capability. The engineer will work with stakeholders, senior engineers, and subject matter experts on systems engineering activities across the DoD product development lifecycle. The position is full on-site in State College, Pennsylvania.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
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Full job description
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
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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.
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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.
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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 We are searching for a highly motivated, self-starting Systems Research and Development Engineer to join our Agile Systems Engineering (ASE) Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The ASE Department mission is to support research, design and application of engineering development methodologies supporting the strategic advancement of warfighter capability at the speed of relevance. Focus is on rapid development of complex engineering systems requiring the integration of cross-disciplinary solutions and expertise.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
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Interface with project stakeholders to understand their requirements and ensure project success
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Work closely with senior engineers and subject matter experts
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Define system control and data architectures
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Perform systems engineering activities spanning typical DoD product development lifecycle
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Travel for stakeholder engagements (as needed)
Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:
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Indirect supervision and mentorship of other engineers
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Monitoring and tracking of funding and budgets
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Work independently on moderately complex work assignments, review progress, and evaluate results
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Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
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Communicate with external audiences for business purposes
Required skills/experience areas include:
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Technical background in Electrical or Systems Engineering
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Previous experience with detailed design and implementation of electrical circuits, software, and firmware
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Excellent communication, writing, and presentation skills
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
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Controls, simulation, and hardware-in the-loop test set development and operation
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Hands-on experience with electrical design, simulation, and test.
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Working with standard laboratory test equipment such as oscilloscopes, function generators
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Model Based Systems Engineering training and experience
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Systems engineering fundamentals and project management
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Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures
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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 will located full on-site located in State College, PA.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS If filled as Research and Development 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 Research and Development Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 2+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science No prior relevant work experience required 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 $92,100.00 - $200,808.00. 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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How this job compares
Set against the 3,102 open Systems Engineering jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 10, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$92–201K/yr
- Pennsylvania median$116–157K/yr24 salary ranges
- US median$133–206K/yr2,215 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $146K, is 6% above the Pennsylvania median midpoint ($139K) — in the middle half of Systems Engineering salary ranges in Pennsylvania.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 46 open Systems Engineering jobs in Pennsylvania and 3,102 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Pennsylvania
- Lockheed Martin9 open
- Wabtec Corporation4 open
- Westinghouse Electric Company4 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for no prior experience — less than three in four Systems Engineering postings that state a minimum ask for (median 7 years, across 2,466 postings).
- Education
- This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 1,042 of the 3,102 open Systems Engineering jobs (34%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 10, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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