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Applied Hydromechanics Department Head

The Pennsylvania State University
paid time off, sick time, remote work
United States, Pennsylvania, University Park
201 Old Main (Show on map)
Feb 20, 2026
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 seeking a Department Head for the newly created Applied Hydromechanics Department of the Fluid Mechanics Division of the Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics Office within PSU ARL. In this role, you will contribute to and direct the work and growth of a team whose focus is the design, analysis and testing of marine vehicle hydrodynamics ranging from the fundamental physics to the physical effects on a vehicle in flight. This position reports to the Fluid Mechanics Division Head, will work out of PSU ARL's State College location, and 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.

Responsibilities for this role are:

  • Provide organizational leadership to a growing group of Engineers, to include employee management, recruitment, development, retention, and technical direction

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

  • Lead the technical execution of research, development and testing of marine systems for a range of U.S. Government and Industry customers

  • Provide and leverage subject matter expertise in the area of marine vehicle hydrodynamics, flight dynamics and vehicle control

  • Oversee the development of proposals for new programs

  • Develop and maintain long-term professional relationships with sponsors and relevant stakeholders, to ensure projects meet customer requirements and are consistent with ARL's role as a Navy-aligned UARC

  • Embrace ARL's mission to discover, demonstrate, transition and educate

Additional responsibilities for higher level position includes:

  • Contribute to the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems

  • Investigate and evaluate practical applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles to develop and improve various engineering systems; identify technical approach for solving problems and meeting customer/grantor needs

  • Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results and follow operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes

  • Conduct experiments/tests in the laboratory/field to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions on basis of research findings and experiences of others researching in related technical areas; may include taking measurements and recording observations, collecting, compiling, and processing data; may include planning/designing experiments or tests and supervising the execution thereof

Required skills/experience areas include:

  • M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related field

  • Strong background in fluid mechanics or aerodynamics.

  • Experience transitioning mathematical Flight Dynamics and Flight Control models to real-world flight of aerodynamic or hydrodynamic vehicles

  • Demonstrated success in proposal writing and securing of funding

  • Demonstrated success in leadership of technical personnel

  • Demonstrated success in management of sponsored programs

  • Strong presentation and communication skills, both technical and inter-personal

  • Design and execution of experiments utilizing wind or water facilities

Preferred skills/experience areas include:

  • Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related field

  • Experience with the modeling and control of cavity running bodies

  • Familiarity with solid modeling and CAD systems, MATLAB, or Simulink

  • 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. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position will require occasional off-site travel and extended off-site work.

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.

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