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 Research Computing Software Engineer to join our Reston, VA location of the Digital Engineering Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. You will work to build, configure, and advance high-performance computing (HPC) environments to support DoW (Department of War) Modeling & Simulation. You will work with researchers to develop and maintain software solutions to support the computational and data analysis needs of the DoW, and design, code, test, and optimize our Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to enhance research capabilities and automated our deployments.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
- Develop, deploy, enhance, and maintain software applications, infrastructure-as-code, and tools to support research computing needs
- Write clean, well-documented, and maintainable code using largely infrastructure automation scripts and tooling to include Ansible
- Integrate software solutions with existing research computing infrastructure, including high-performance computing (HPC) systems and cloud platforms
- Collaborate with systems engineers and researchers to ensure seamless integration and functionality of software tools within the research environment
- Analyze and optimize the performance of software applications, ensuring they meet the high demands of computational research
- Identify and address performance bottlenecks, memory usage issues, and other technical challenges
- Provide technical support and troubleshooting for software issues, assisting researchers in overcoming obstacles
- Stay up to date with advancements in software engineering and computational research technologies including enhancing our efforts to leverage AI and LLMs
- Propose and implement new features, improvements, and updates to enhance the functionality and usability of software tools
- Lead or participate in software development projects, including planning, development, testing, and deployment phases
- May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
- Ability to integrate software solutions with existing research computing infrastructure, including high‑performance computing (HPC) environments and cloud platforms through CI/CD pipelines and automation of scripts
- Skill in analyzing and optimizing software performance to meet the demands of computational research workloads
- Capability to develop, deploy, enhance, and maintain software applications and tools that support research computing activities
- Proficiency in writing clean, well‑documented, and maintainable code or scripts
- Current 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
Preferred Skills/Experience areas include :
- Ability to lead or contribute to software development projects across planning, development, testing, and deployment phases.
- Skill in managing project timelines, deliverables, and milestones to ensure successful and timely completion of software initiatives.
- Capacity to supervise staff members when needed, including participating in hiring, supporting employee development, and assisting with performance management activities.
Your working location will be onsite in Reston VA . Options exist for 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.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Scientific Computing Engagement Specialist (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:
Associate Degree
2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications:
None

If filled as Scientific Computing Software Specialist (ARL) - Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree
No prior relevant work experience required; previous relevant work experience accepted in lieu of education.
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 Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.
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 $68,604.00 - $102,900.00.
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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