Six Figure Work

Antenna Engineer

Penn State University

Company websitepsu.edu (Penn State University, opens in new tab)

Base salary $127,080  to $277,200

Employer-published annual base salary, USD. Advertised base range in Reston, VA

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  • LocationReston, VA
  • WorkplaceWorkplace not stated
  • Status at last checkSource accepting applications when checked
  • Last checked (10 min ago) · observed since

About this job

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​

Your working location can be a hybrid on-site/work from home, on-site location is Reston, VA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.


We are seeking an experienced Research and Development Engineer to join the Antennas, Computational Electromagnetics, and Propagation Department of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State.  You will manage complex Antenna and Electromagnetic Analyses, Antenna Design and Construction, Sensor System Development, contribute to customers' strategic objectives, mentor staff, and develop relationships to seek funding from potential donors. The primary research focus is the development of RF sensor systems ELF to millimeter wave.


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


You will:

  • Plan and direct research multiple large antenna development projects involving developing novel antenna designs, evaluation of antenna designs using computational electromagnetics, antenna prototype development and testing, and antenna system design supervising the work of staff scientists, engineers and technicians. These projects will have substantial impact that extends knowledge and understanding.
  • Coordinate research and development activities between disciplines involving antenna development, antenna electromagnetic analysis and prototype development, definition of scope and selection of problems for investigation and development of novel concepts and approaches.
  • Devise plans and lead work on extremely complex antenna designs, antenna electromagnetic analysis and prototype development that impact the design success of current products or addresses broad design issues of future products or technologies.
  • Maintain liaison with likeminded research colleagues and units within and outside department, division, and office, with responsibility for acting independently on technical matters pertaining to all aspect of antenna design and development and electromagnetic analyses.
  • Propose and lead new antenna design initiatives; guide programs of national or international significance; identify future problems, research trends and opportunities.
  • Make substantial contributions to determining feasibility of goals/objectives; evaluate proposed or ongoing projects. 
  • Direct and/or participate in major proposal preparation and presentation.
  • Present papers, lead symposia and chair committees; participate on advisory/policy boards, journals and societies; serve as peer reviewer of major technical programs; network nationally and internationally.
  • Participate and contribute to the strategic plan of the unit.
  • Supervise subordinate supervisors or team leaders.
  • Mentor assigned staff in the development of technical, project, and business development skills.
  • Document data/findings in technical reports, documents, or oral/written presentations.
  • Provide innovative problem-solving approaches to enhance antenna design capabilities; use peer network to expand technical capabilities and identify new research opportunities. 
  • Understand broad strategic objectives and applications of antenna design, antenna electromagnetic analysis and prototype development and contribute; nurture and maintain relationships with major sponsors of external research and develop grant funding. 
  • Research and identify follow-on research projects and/or initiate new project concepts; develop technical proposals; and make presentations to customers/grant sponsors for funding

Required skills/experience areas include:

  • Experience in antenna design, antenna and electromagnetic analysis tools, computational electromagnetics, and implementation of new and established techniques, and application of new methods to solve specific problems.
  • Proven successful experience conducting antenna research and development within a team.
  • Effective at presenting in front of large groups of senior level professionals; conveying information to drive action or decision.
  • Past successful experience developing technical proposals, writing whitepapers, etc.
  • Fluent in multiple various scientific programming languages such as Matlab, Python, C++, HFSS, XFdtd, CST, and FORTRAN
  • Ability to read and understand complex applied mathematics and numerical implementations
  • Ability to lead the development of projects using the aforementioned languages

Preferred skills/experience areas include:

  • Current active security clearance
  • Antenna design, analysis prototype development

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as R&D Engineer - Electronics (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
14+ years of relevant experience
Required Certifications:
None

If filled as R&D Engineer - Electronics (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
5+ years of relevant experience
Required Certifications:
None

If filled as R&D Engineer - Electronics (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 Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.  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.

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 - $277,200.00. 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.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster

PA State Labor Law Poster

Penn State Policies

Copyright Information

Hotlines

Source: Penn State University on Workday · View original posting (opens in new tab)

This range next to 6 other live Penn State University roles with the nearest advertised base floor
Chart as a table
This range next to 6 other live Penn State University roles with the nearest advertised base floor
RolePublished base
Antenna Engineer (this listing)$127,080 - $277,200
AR/VR/XR Visualization Research and Development Engineer$127,080 - $240,960
Vulnerability Research Engineer$127,080 - $277,200
Software Engineer$127,080 - $209,640
Vulnerability Researcher$127,080 - $277,200
R&D Engineer - Signal Processing$121,704 - $265,704
Mechanical Engineer$121,704 - $231,000

Same $100K to $400K scale as every card. All Penn State University roles · How to read the bar

Observed changes

  1. First observed on the employer's board
  2. Began meeting the published-salary criteria
Observed since
Employer-stated posting date
2026-11-03
Where this pay comes from

Location as the employer wrote it: Reston, VA

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $127,080.00 - $277,200.00. This salary range includes an adjustment based on required

Method
Employer text, read with fixed rules and re-verified
Checked
Rule set
us-base-v2

The pay passage appears in the employer's own job text. Fixed, deterministic rules located it, and the passage below was checked against the stored copy of the posting.

What we verified

  • The pay figures come from the employer's own listing, quoted exactly above.
  • The pay is an annual base salary in US dollars with a minimum of at least $100,000.
  • The role was publicly listed on the employer's job board when last checked.

We do not verify what the employer will actually offer, whether the employer is still recruiting for the role, or anything beyond what the employer published. Full methodology.