{"id":3318676,"url":"https://alion.io/job/pennsylvania-state-university-systems-engineer","title":"Systems Engineer","company":{"id":37673,"name":"Pennsylvania State University","domain":"psu.edu","url":"https://alion.io/company/psu-edu","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":73,"open_postings":802,"ghost_share":0.458,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":37,"computed_at":"2026-10-29T05:49:05Z"}},"role":"Education","role_family":"Education","seniority":"staff","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["University Park, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":121704,"max":265704,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":265704},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":19,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"MBSE","optional":false},{"name":"Verification & Validation","optional":false},{"name":"Cameo Systems Modeler","optional":true},{"name":"IBM DOORS","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-07-23T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-07-23","last_verified_at":"2026-10-29T21:56:00Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":98,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":["company_stale"],"days_open":98},"description":"APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:\nCURRENT 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.\n\nCURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, pleaselogin to Workday to complete thestudent application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.\n\nIf you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.\n\nApproval 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.\nPOSITION SPECIFICS\nWe are searching for highly motivated Systems Engineers to join our Systems Engineering Department in the Undersea Systems Office at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This role will support the development of complex physical undersea systems, including advanced vehicles, sensors, and integrated hardware/software technologies for undersea applications. This is not an IT, cloud, or enterprise systems position. This role focuses on traditional systems engineering for defense hardware, spanning concept development, system architecture, subsystem integration, test, and transition to fielded military systems. This department's focus is on tailoring and on applying rigor using the systems engineering process. You will have the opportunity to contribute heavily to physical systems development, from conceptual definition into design, test, then transition into production. USO designs, develops, validates, and maintains a suite of large-scale undersea warfare models and simulations used by technology developers, analysts, the Navy, and its allies. We serve as a research center of excellence in undersea weapons, unmanned undersea vehicles, and advanced sonars. We support our national security and undersea warfare sponsors through the development and demonstration of science and technology with the expertise, tools, and processes to take concepts from the early developmental phase through transition to industry and the fleet.\nARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.\nYou will:\nTranslate stakeholder needs into system-level requirements and architectures\n\nPerform analysis of alternatives and develop system concepts for hardware-centric undersea platforms and payloads\n\nConduct system and requirements decomposition, interface definition, and integration planning\n\nSupport model-based systems engineering (MBSE), system modeling, and hardware/software integration\n\nDevelop verification and validation strategies, test plans, and test procedures for physical prototypes and fielded systems\n\nParticipate in and support lab, dockside, and at-sea test events\n\nCollaborate regularly with engineering teams, program sponsors, Navy partners, and program management\n\nIdentify risks, develop mitigation strategies, and support lifecycle decision-making\n\nAdditional responsibilities for higher level positions includes:\nOrganize and direct a multi-disciplinary and diverse engineering team\n\nProvide technical leadership within the division programs\n\nPlan and direct research projects that have substantial impact that extends knowledge and understanding\n\nPropose and lead new initiatives; guide programs of national or international significance; identify future problems, research trends, and opportunities\n\nRequired skills/experience areas include:\nApplying systems engineering to complex physical systems, preferably in defense, aerospace, maritime, or robotics domains\n\nExperience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures\n\nAbility to express ideas successfully to drive understanding\n\nPast success in writing white papers or reports\n\nPast success in a lead role, organizing, managing, and directing, multi-disciplinary teams, while contributing and assisting in project management\n\nPast success while leading or contributing to technical proposals and white papers\n\nPreferred skills/experience areas include:\nBachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Computer, Systems Engineering or related engineering discipline.\n\nUnmanned underwater systems development\n\nHardware integration, prototype testing, or system-level test events\n\nPast success using requirements and MBSE tools (Cameo, DOORS, Jama, etc.)\n\nWorking knowledge of DoD acquisition, especially Department of the Navy systems engineering processes\n\nExposure to environmental qualification, hardware-in-the-loop testing, or embedded system integration\n\nCurrent 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\n\nYour working location can be fully on-site to start for training located in State College, PA and then a hybrid of on-site/work from home based on project-dependent ability. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.\nMINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS\nIf filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires:\nBachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science\n19+ years of relevant experience\nRequired Certifications:\nNone\n\nIf filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:\nBachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science\n5+ years of relevant experience\nRequired Certifications:\nNone\n\nIf filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires:\nBachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science\n14+ years of relevant experience\nRequired Certifications:\nNoneBACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES\nEmployment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL):\nEmployees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.SALARY & BENEFITS\nThe salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $121,704.00 - $265,704.00.Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure\nPenn 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.\nCAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS\nPursuant 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.\nEEO IS THE LAW\nPenn 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.\nFederal Contractors Labor Law Poster\nPA State Labor Law Poster\nPenn State Policies\nCopyright Information\nHotlines","description_format":"text","description_chars":8310,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":19,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["DoD SkillBridge","Flexible schedule","Hybrid work","Retirement plans","Veteran hiring program"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Higher Education"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-27T06:36:51Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":18,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.641,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":98,"expected_fill_days":37,"reasons":["conf:0","velocity","win:tail","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-29T05:49:05Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":265704,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/pennsylvania-state-university-systems-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/pennsylvania-state-university-systems-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-29T22:05:56Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":32621,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-30T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":37673},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=37673"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fpennsylvania-state-university-systems-engineer"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fpennsylvania-state-university-systems-engineer"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fpennsylvania-state-university-systems-engineer"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/pennsylvania-state-university-systems-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fpennsylvania-state-university-systems-engineer"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":3318676}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"psu.edu","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":3318676},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. Docs: https://alion.io/developers"}}