POSITION SPECIFICSWe are seeking a Research Computing Software Engineer to join the Visualization and Decision Support Division (VDS) of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. You will work within classified research and development and cloud computing (HPC) environments to develop and maintain software solutions to support the computational and data analysis needs of the research community; design, code, test, and optimize software systems that enhance research capabilities and streamline computational workflows. The mission of VDS is to research, develop, and apply technical innovations that provide Decision Advantage to our sponsors through the use of data science, artificial intelligence, simulation, knowledge communication and virtual collaboration technologies. In this role, you will direct a team of engineers and researchers to fulfill this mission.
The position will be located in either
State College, PA or
Reston, VA and is not eligible for remote work.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:- Develop, deploy, enhance, and maintain software applications and tools to support research computing needs
- Implement efficient algorithms and data structures to handle large datasets and complex computations
- Write clean, well-documented, and maintainable code using modern programming languages
- Integrate software solutions with existing research computing infrastructure, including cloud platforms
- Collaborate with other engineers and researchers to ensure seamless integration and functionality of software tools within the research environment
- Analyze and optimize the performance of software applications, ensuring they meet the high demands of computational research
- Identify and address performance bottlenecks, memory usage issues, and other technical challenges
- Provide technical support and troubleshooting for software issues, assisting researchers in overcoming obstacles
- Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for software tools, including user guides, technical specifications, and troubleshooting procedures
- Stay up to date with advancements in software engineering and computational research technologies
Additional responsibilities of higher level positions include:- Propose and implement new features, improvements, and updates to enhance the functionality and usability of software tools
- Lead or participate in software development projects, including planning, development, testing, and deployment phases
- Manage project timelines, deliverables, and milestones to ensure successful and timely completion of software initiatives
- May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management
Required skills and/or experience include:- Code analysis
- Cross-team collaboration
- Data Analysis
- Presentation Skills
- Programming
- Software architecture
- Software development
- Software testing
- Technology acumen
- Trend analysis
Preferred skills/experience areas include:- Active or recently active TS/SCI clearance
- A Master's degree in Geography is preferred
Your work location will be fully on-site located in
State College, PA or
Reston, VA.MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONSIf filled as Research Computing Software Engineer - Senior Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as Research Computing Software Engineer - Advanced Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:None
SALARY & BENEFITSThe salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $97,100.00 - $164,000.00.**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.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICSPursuant 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.
