Deputy Division Head
Penn State University
State College, PAFull-time$161–299K/yrPosted 1w agoStill listed today
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Job overview
Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory seeks a Deputy Division Head for its Materials Science & Applications Division, which develops advanced manufacturing technologies and materials for defense applications. The role supports division leadership across personnel, programs, facilities, sponsor relationships, and business development. It is fully on-site in State College, Pennsylvania, with periodic travel to remote locations. The position may be filled as a Research and Development Engineer or non-tenure Research Faculty.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
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 Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.
We are searching for a Deputy Division Head for the Materials Science & Applications Division of the Materials, Manufacturing and Sustainment Office at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The MSA Division is comprised of four departments: Advanced Manufacturing Process Development, Materials Characterization, Materials for Extreme Environments, and Electronic Materials and Devices. The departments support the mission of MSA by executing the research, design and application of engineering development and manufacturing methodologies. The mission of the MSA Division is to develop and apply advanced manufacturing technologies that enhance military capabilities. This includes the conception, development, characterization, and transition of innovative materials and manufacturing processes to support defense applications. 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:
- Collaborate with the Division Head and division personnel to establish, strengthen, and maintain relationships with key sponsors and stakeholders
- Support the Division Head in recruiting, developing, and retaining highly qualified Division personnel
- Assist the Division Head in evaluating employee performance, conducting performance reviews, and supporting professional growth and development
- Assist the Division Head in acquiring, maintaining, and disposing of equipment and facilities supporting division efforts
- Assist multidisciplinary teams in the development and execution of proposals and technical projects
- Identify, develop, and pursue new business opportunities with existing and prospective sponsors
- Support the Division Head in planning, staffing, and executing programs to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and sponsor requirements
Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:
- Leads in coordinating technical resources, managing risks, and resolving issues that may impact project execution or program outcomes
- Delegates research and development authority as appropriate and establishes accountability for subordinate managers and individual contributors within assigned areas
- Serves as a technical and managerial point of contact for sponsors, partners, and stakeholders, and represents the division in technical meetings, reviews, and external collaborations as delegated
- Ensures compliance with DoD, University, ARL, safety, security, and export control requirements across assigned programs and activities
- Leads in the development of new research concepts, technologies, and capabilities
- Leads in business development activities, including identifying funding opportunities, developing white papers, and supporting proposal preparation efforts
- Reviews and contributes to technical reports, publications, and presentations
- Leads teams of other engineering managers, scientists, and organizational leadership to align technical efforts across programs, laboratories, and divisions
- Acts on behalf of the Division Head as delegated, ensuring consistent application of division policies, processes, and performance expectations and facilitating effective communication across the organization
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
- Participate in the design, development, implementation, and analysis of products and systems to meet technical and operational requirements.
- Direct investigations and evaluations to assess the practical application of scientific theories and engineering principles.
- Participate in the planning, execution, and analysis of laboratory and field experiments and testing activities.
- Support the development and preparation of technical reports, documentation, proposals, research papers, and presentations.
- Active security clearance, at the Top Secret level or higher
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS If filled as R&D Engineer, Deputy Division Head (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, Deputy Division Head (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, Deputy Division Head (ARL) - 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 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.
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 $161,004.00 - $298,800.00. 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 1,402 open Research and Development jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 10, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$161–299K/yr
- Pennsylvania median$120–191K/yr21 salary ranges
- US median$118–171K/yr756 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $230K, is 44% above the Pennsylvania median midpoint ($159K) — in the top quarter of Research and Development salary ranges in Pennsylvania.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 65 open Research and Development jobs in Pennsylvania and 1,402 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Pennsylvania
- J&J Family of Companies7 open
- Penn State University Talent Acquisition5 open
- Dow3 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 5 years of experience; Research and Development postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (940 postings).
- Education
- This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 747 of the 1,402 open Research and Development jobs (53%) 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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