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Integrated Communications Department Head (Faculty)

Penn State University
State College, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 24 Oct 2025

About the role

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

 

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 seeking a Department Head for the Integrated Communications Department of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. You will direct a multi-domain communications technologies team in designing, building, and integrating radio technologies into tactical, deployable systems. Technologies include software defined radios, acoustic modems, and communication protocols which span the full spectrum of acoustic, radio, and mmWave frequencies.  Application designs supporting operations on land, air, maritime, and space, to enable improved situational awareness and faster decision-making in complex environments.  This position can be filled as 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:

  • Manage the daily activities of approximately 8 (with potential to grow) Research and Development Engineers, to include hiring, training, mentoring, tasking, and managing the performance review process

  • Direct technical excellence, cost control, and on time delivery of work 

  • Lead and ensure the proper execution of research, development, and prototyping of systems for a wide range of customers in the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligent Communities (IC) 

  • Oversee the development of plans and proposals for new programs

  • Technically contribute to programs in your area of expertise

  • Foster and develop relationships with government customers to expand the opportunities for the Integrated Communications Department

Faculty rank will be commensurate with education and experience. Minimally requires a Master's degree in an engineering or science discipline and 1 year related experience.

Required skills/experience areas include:

  • Technical Team Lead or Program Lead

  • Project management

  • Technical proficiency in one or more of the following: Electronic Circuit Design, Radio Frequency, Digital Signal Processing, Embedded Microcontrollers, FPGA Implementation, Linux, and/or Real Time Operating Systems

  • Ability to navigate and thrive in a setting with diverse communication styles and organizational strategies

  • Current eligibility for access to classified informatio

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Company

Penn State University

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