Software Engineer
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, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
We are searching for a motivated and talented Computer Science and Software Engineer to join our Applied Communications team of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This is a software engineering position focusing on the ability to perform algorithm implementation and integration to support a variety of research processes and applications.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
- Contribute to the development of cutting-edge research
- Design solutions for various system level needs such as applications, libraries, interfaces, and device drivers
- Apply established procedures to solve current national security problems
- Leverage your technical strengths to new and adjacent areas of interest
- Test algorithms on a variety of platforms such as in water, on land, in the air, and in space
- Design and develop software to support signal processing for communications
Additional responsibilities for higher level positions includes:
- Lead Software Engineering projects
- Mentor employees in the development of technical, project, and business development skills
Required skills/experience areas include:
- Ability to express yourself and ideas successfully to others in order to provide understanding
- Strong diagnostic skills, and the ability to research, troubleshoot, and logically determine solutions while paying attention to detail
- Demonstrated ability to work through a difficult problem, using proper steps to define and formulate ideas to reach a solution
- Proficiency with High Performance Algorithm Design
- Object-oriented principles in C++ and C
- Software system architecture and infrastructure skills
- Proficiency working in a Linux environment
- Demonstrated understanding of software development best practices using tools such as: Git repos, GitLab and Atlassian tools (JIRA, Confluence, Bamboo, Artifactory, BitBucket, SonarQube)
- Proficiency with containerization and orchestration using tools such as Docker and Kubernetes
- Strong computer science fundamentals in hardware integration, algorithms, data structures, networking, memory management, distributed systems, security, app modularization and databases
- Experience working alongside a varied group of people
- Understanding of Mobile App and Front-End UI/UX development
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, or a related field
- Knowledge and exposure to signal processing and algorithm development
- A background in cellular and/or wireless communications
- Familiarity with FPGA programming
- Experience with Database Design, SQL, NoSQL and/or BigData database
- Enjoy collaborating and learning with a team of fellow brilliant researchers
- Possess an inquisitive mind and have a passion to develop the best software and hardware solutions in an action-oriented, self-motivated, and delivery-focused manner
- Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, Java
- Understanding of Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment
- Ability to understand business requirements and translate them into technical requirements
- Ability to manage parallel projects and priorities
- Design experience developing ATAK or WinTAK plug-ins
- Knowledge of cyber compliance policies and implementation requirements
- Offline storage, threading, and performance tuning
Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position will require periodic travel to remote locations in support of testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers, and technologists.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
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 - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
2+ years of relevant experience
Required Certifications:
None

If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
No prior relevant work experience required
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 to possess 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 $76,700.00 - $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 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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