Senior Radio Frequency Microwave Engineer

Senior Research & Development Engineer (RF / Microwave Engineering)

The Vehicle Spectrum Dominance (VSD) Department within the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University is seeking candidates for a Senior Research and Development Engineer based in State College, PA.

VSD is a department invested in the spectrum convergence mission space. Our mission is to: “Understand, shape, and exploit the electromagnetic environment for the Warfighter’s advantage. Develop strategic & operational advantages for the warfighter, and defend national interests across the vehicle domain."

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

Responsibilities of this position include:

Subject Matter Expert (SME):

Provide technical leadership within the laboratory, develop concepts, and oversee sensitive research and development focused on applied electromagnetics.

Support projects within the VSD Department by providing expertise in RF/microwave engineering for ground, air and sea-based operations.

Expert knowledge in RF/microwave instrumentation to include: network analysis, spectrum analysis, antenna measurements, and RF materials characterization.

Expertise and/or extensive familiarity in-the-lab and in-the-field troubleshooting of RF systems.

Expertise and/or extensive familiarity radar systems and hardware.

Provide focused expertise electromagnetic simulation tools such as: CST Microwave Studio or REMCOM XFdtd.

Provide engineering expertise to the VSD Department for RF/microwave lab-based experimental setups.

Provide focused expertise and solutions for the automation/control of RF instrumentation.

Provide support for measurements implemented at outdoor test ranges, anechoic chamber, and EMC chambers.

Program Manager:

Develop program management plans from the technical perspective and develop technical documents that satisfy stakeholder’s requirements and expectations; monitor and control program cost, schedule, performance, change control, and risk (technical, cost, schedule).

Develop and present project/program status reports for/to various audiences as necessary.

Lead talented group of Engineers in day to day tasking to accomplish programmatic deliverables.

Business Development:

Facilitate relationships across the DoD and the IC with a focus on moving technologies from fundamental research to applied solutions.

Perform the role of Trusted Agent to the government to assess and validate state-of-the art RF systems and solutions from the Defense Industrial Base.

Build and maintain solid relationships across ARL Offices and the PSU Engineering School.

Travel:

~ Quarterly travel as directed to support customer requirements development and project updates.

Typically requires a Master's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or Physics (preferred specialization in electromagnetics) discipline, plus 10 or more years' related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Requirements of this position include:

Possess an active DoD SECRET (or higher) clearance.

Established understanding and expertise art RF/microwave measurement instrumentation.

Extensive knowledge and experience with in-the-lab and in-the-field RF measurements and experimentation.

Expertise and/or extensive familiarity with electromagnetic simulation tools.

Expertise and/or extensive familiarity with MATLAB and/or Python for instrument control and data analysis.

Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.

Excellent report writing capability.

Ability to assist with field-measurement campaigns that may require working in austere conditions with occasional demanding physical activity (lifting heavy equipment for setup, teardown, and shipping).

Your working location will be onsite located in State College, PA

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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