AR/VR/XR Visualization Research and Development 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.

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POSITION SPECIFICS​

We are searching for a driven, innovative Visualization Research and Development Engineer to join the Advanced Visualization Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. Our department develops cutting-edge visualization solutions that push the boundaries of collaborative visualization, Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) applications for critical national security missions.

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

You will:

• Design experiences, interactions, and applications that support effective collaboration for research sponsors
• Design and implement application programming interfaces (APIs) to pass data between disparate software applications
• Develop methodologies for effective integration, visualization, and dissemination of novel 3D data sources using game-engine-based synthetic environment frameworks
• Create tool workflows or visual communication methods using internally and externally-developed toolkits to illustrate and document complex concepts
• Integrate features and solutions with synthetic environment frameworks being applied to multiple sponsored projects across domains
• Deploy solutions to Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) platforms including the latest hardware from Meta, Varjo, HTC, and others
• Perform systems engineering activities to improve data flows and processes
• Brief research sponsors on technical solutions
• Develop engineering and technical documentation
• Draft whitepapers and proposals for research sponsors

Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:

• Lead the development and prototyping of hardware and software-based solutions for sponsor challenges 
• Define immersive interaction standards
• Develop new processes for visualizing content using immersive technology
• Develop and manage new sponsor relationships
• Design and develop architectures of industry-related engineering systems, applying knowledge of complex principles, theories, concepts, tools and techniques to design challenges
• Independently manage multiple and/or large IT projects
• Plan, schedule, conduct, or coordinate detailed phases of the work of a major project or in a total project of moderate scope
• Understand broad strategic objectives and contribute to them
•  Develop and maintain long-term professional relationships with government sponsors, industry partners, and academic collaborators to ensure programs meet customer
• Serve as a subject matter expert for the sponsor when needed

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

• Software development proficiency (C#, Python, or Java)
• Team-based software development, troubleshooting, and deployment experience
• Software engineering, systems engineering, human computer interfaces, or visualization technologies

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:

• Master's Degree
• Active security clearance, TS/SCI preferred, or current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret/Top Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required
• Advanced software development in C#, Python, or Java focusing on modular programming and performance
• Extended Reality (XR) application development (Unity/Unreal)
• Cloud deployment experience (AWS/Azure)
• Software containerization and deployment (Docker, Podman, Kubernetes, Helm, etc.)
• DevSecOps experience
• Graphics programming – rendering, graphical shaders, etc.
• Network programming such as TCP/UDP and client-server
• Messaging interfaces (ActiveMQ, DDS, Kafka, etc.)
• Databases (PostGRES-PostGIS preferred)
• Performance optimization and process automation experience
• Geospatial data formats and standards
• CompTIA Security+ certification
• Project management or related skills

Your working location will be: fully on-site located in State College, PA or Reston, VA.  This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Software (ARL) - 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 - Software (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
2+ years of relevant experience
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 website 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.Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL):
Employees 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

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $127,080.00 - $240,960.00. This salary range includes an adjustment based on required geographic work location.

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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