Penn State University

Operations Research/Undersea Systems Analyst

Penn State University$109K — $191K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science
  • 5+ years of relevant experience (or 14+ years for senior role)
  • Experience in computing languages for analysis (e.g., C++, MATLAB, Python)
  • Creative problem-solving skills in complex environments
  • Ability to absorb and synthesize scientific/mathematical information
  • Strong communication skills for conveying complex ideas
  • Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with experts to tackle complex systemic issues
  • Supervise the technical performance of 1-3 R&D Engineers
  • Implement action plans to address complex system questions
  • Design and execute models/simulations and analyze results
  • Conduct assessments of current and future naval operations
  • Communicate findings effectively to stakeholders
  • Identify and pursue future project opportunities through proposal writing.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Robust retirement plans
  • Generous paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick leave
  • 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible family members
  • Support for personal and professional well-being.
Full Job Description
POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for self-motivated, detail-oriented, positive, and quality-conscious Undersea System Analysts to join our Operations Research and Systems Analysis Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL), Penn State. Operations Research is a multidisciplinary field in which a wide range of analytical methods are utilized to aid decision-making.

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

You will:
  • Aggregate Subject Matter Expertise - work with a diverse group of experts, including Navy officers, engineers, scientists, and mathematicians, to understand problems from many perspectives
  • Manage Groups of Engineers - track and lead the technical performance of 1-3 Research and Development (R&D) Engineers
  • Develop Action Plans - resolve questions about complex or ill-defined systems and deliver concrete findings and guidance to customers
  • Execute Analyses - plan an approach to a problem, develop models, execute models/simulations, and analyze results
  • Perform Concept Assessments - assess future or current naval operations and/or systems engineering for conceptual systems
  • Deliver Results - clearly communicate results to stakeholders within the laboratory or to sponsors in the Department of Defense (DoD) or Intel Community (IC)
  • Pursue Future Work - identify and help achieve future work opportunities by writing and presenting proposals to DoD and IC sponsors


Additional responsibilities for the higher-level position include:
  • Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams of 3-10 members, including R&D engineers, engineering support specialists, HR, and IT personnel
  • Provide input to strategic planning for the department


Required skills/experience areas include:
  • Computing languages or frameworks for scientific/engineering analysis such as C++, MATLAB, Simulink, R, or Python
  • Creativity in environments where the problem is not initially well-defined
  • Demonstrated ability to absorb a broad array of information from scientific and/or mathematical fields
  • Demonstrated ability to identify relationships between a system and its operational usage - logistics, planning, environmental, and risk factors
  • Demonstrated ability to express yourself and ideas successfully to others in order to provide understanding
  • Success in an office environment, where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
  • Previous success with collaborations in a multi-disciplinary, team-oriented culture


Preferred skills/experience areas include:
  • Undersea systems and the ability to apply this experience to assess new concepts
  • Modeling and simulation, particularly to resolve questions of interacting systems, applied physics, or mathematics
  • Demonstrated experience in task management for small teams
  • 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 fully onsite, located in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position may require periodic travel to remote locations in support of meetings.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Senior Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science14+ years of relevant experienceRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as Research and Development Engineer - Advanced Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science5+ years of relevant experienceRequired 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

SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $109,300.00 - $191,000.00.**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.

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