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, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

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POSITION SPECIFICS​

The Systems Engineering & Rapid Prototyping Division within the Materials, Manufacturing and Sustainment Office (MMSO) of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University is searching for a talented, experienced, and highly motivated Software Engineer. You will assist ARL in providing customers with state of the art user experiences in web-based and desktop applications to support data visualization and engineering decision support systems, as well as algorithm development, that provides and analyzes the data for these dashboards. You will also collaborate with our data analytics faculty and staff engineers and software teams to design and improve custom applications and tools. The software developed typically culminates in operational concept demonstrations, followed by transitioning products to DoD program managers and industrial contractors to deploy and implement.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:

• Develop front-end and back-end web services including all aspects of server, client, and web components

• Develop unique algorithmic and implementation solutions to a wide array of sponsor requirements

• Work with users to analyze their requirements; evaluate new tools and technologies to enhance performance

• Collaborate with other staff, students, and sponsors to solve challenging problems

• Work with DoD sponsors to gather requirements and implementation details

• Execute tasking within an Agile development process

• Keep current with relevant emerging technologies and trends by attending conferences and workshops relevant to department and project goal

Additional duties of a higher level will include: 

• Integrate more complex elements and technological advances into work assignments

• Develop concepts and methods to use in the design of systems

• Lead portions of large tasks or projects

Required skills/experience areas include:

• Software debugging and issue resolution using a variety of development languages, particularly Java and Python

• Mathematics and Statistics

• Previous success with collaborations in a diverse, multi-disciplinary, team-oriented culture

• Past success in providing ideas in written form for clear comprehension to an audience

Preferred skills and experience include:

• Agile Software Development methodologies

• Simulation development

• Container technology such as Docker or Podman

• Strong understanding of cyber security in software development

• Design patterns such as dependency injection and singleton

• Frontend experience: Client-side scripting and JavaScript libraries and frameworks, including Angular (Typescript); understanding and experience in web markup languages including HTML, CSS, and SCSS

• Backend experience: Spring (Java) or Django (Python), databases, both relational and non-relational, and migration tools such as Flyway

• Micro-service Architecture

• Managing and utilizing a DevSecOps pipeline

  • Unit testing (Junit, Mockito, unittest, Jest, Mocha)

  • Static Code Analysis Tools (SonarQube, Fortify)

  • Linters

  • Vulnerability Assessment Tools (Nessus, OpenVAS)

  • Software Supply Chain Security Tools (OWASP Dependency-Check, JFrog XRay)

• High Performance Computing (HPC)

• Parallel programming

• Version control systems such as Git

• Package managers such as NPM, maven, pip

• Cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud

• 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 be on-site in State College, PA. This position may require periodic travel to remote locations to meet with research sponsors or conduct field testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers, and technologists.

 

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as Research and Development Engineer - 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 - 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 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 to possess 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 $76,700.00 - $129,500.00.**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.

 

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