We are searching for an Autonomy/Software Engineer to join our Autonomy and Emerging Technologies Department of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. 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). This position will apply modern software practices to support the creation of autonomy software systems for direct customer programs to advance technologies in the undersea systems domain. The department’s focus is on applying emergent technologies in the area of autonomous system development, evaluation, and testing of unmanned vehicles.

You Will:

• Develop software/systems activities in support of major research programs

• Ability to lead a small team of software engineers to develop and test prototype architecture implementations

• Contribute to the development of software and specifications focused on autonomous unmanned systems solutions

• Interact and collaborate regularly with program management, program sponsors and stakeholders

• Stay current with relevant emerging technologies and trends by presenting at conferences and workshops relevant to department and project goals

This position will be filled at a Level 3 or level 4, depending upon the successful candidate's competencies, education, and experience. Minimally requires a BS degree or higher in an Software Engineering, Computer Science, Math/Statistics, Operations Research, Physics, or related discipline plus minimum of 10 years of experience. Additional experience and/ or education and competencies are required for Level 4. A Master’s degree or PhD in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Science and Technology or related technical degree and research is highly desired.

Additional responsibilities for higher level position:

• Plan and direct research projects that have substantial impact that extends knowledge and understanding; plan, organize, and supervise the work of staff scientists, engineers and technicians

• Participate in the strategic planning process and provide input into strategic decisions for organization, unit and strategic partners

• Propose and lead new initiatives; guide programs of national or international significance; identify future problems, research trends and opportunities

• Maintains external research relationships and identifies/develops new funding sources

• Present papers, lead symposia and chair committees; participate on advisory/policy boards, journals and societies; serve as peer reviewer of major technical programs; network nationally and internationally

• Author technical proposals and white papers

• Organize and direct a multi-disciplinary, strong and diverse engineering team

• Oversee software systems engineering and design work, including system and sub-system requirements and design of interface specifications

Required skills/experience areas include:

• Previous systems development as related to unmanned systems

• Expert-level proficiency in one or more higher-level languages - C/C++, Python, R, Java, or similar

• Familiarity with software CM practices - specifically with GitLab and/or Atlassian tools (JIRA, Bitbucket, Confluence)

Preferred skills/experience areas include:

• Work in a DoD (Department of Defense) environment

• Contribute to research in vehicle autonomy, machine learning, autonomous systems simulation/evaluation, undersea sensors, vehicle systems

• Previous Navy systems development as related to unmanned systems

• Technical experience related to the development of software for autonomous or unmanned systems is highly desired

• Design of software using containerization technologies (Open Container Initiative, Docker, K8s/K3s) and micro-service architectures

• Excellent presentation skills and effective written and oral communication

• Active Secret/Top Secret clearance

Your working location will be on-site located in State College, PA with the potential for a hybrid at-home/in-person after one year of service.

ARL at Penn State is an integral part of one of the leading research universities in the nation and serves as a University center of excellence in defense science, systems, and technologies with a focus in naval missions and related areas.

You will be subject to a government security investigation, and you must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.

ARL is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion; we believe this is central to our success as a Department of Defense designated University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). We are at our best when we draw on the talents of all parts of society, and our greatest accomplishments are achieved when diverse perspectives are part of our workforce.

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Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

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