Division Head - Computational Fluid Dynamics
Company websitepsu.edu (Penn State University, opens in new tab)
Base salary $203,808 to $336,300
Employer-published annual base salary, USD. Advertised base range Penn State University Park
You apply on the employer's own site. Six Figure Work does not handle applications.
- LocationPenn State University Park
- WorkplaceWorkplace not stated
- Status at last checkSource accepting applications when checked
- Last checked (1 h 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
We are searching for a Division Head for the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Division in the Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics Office (FDAO) at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The CFD Division Head will lead a premier group of approximately fifteen of engineers and research faculty in meeting the mission of bringing state-of-the-technology tools, talent and leading-edge computational fluid dynamics to our DoD and industrial sponsors. The Division Head, along with immediate reports, will develop and mature business relationships and programs with other ARL offices, industry, and government sponsors. This critical role requires a blend of technical mastery in fluid dynamics, technical management, and personnel management in a mission-focused environment. This position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non-tenure Research Faculty.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Lead and perform design and performance support analyses, using in-house and commercial CFD tools, for a broad range of applications, including undersea vehicles and propulsion, coupled hydrodynamics/hydroacoustics, low-speed and high-speed aerodynamics, and complex multi-physics systems
Lead technical developments and improvements in field of Computational Fluid Dynamics including but limited to code development, V&V, and applications in new and evolving tools and methodologies to solve complex flows. Projects may include but not limited to cavitation and multiphase flows, vehicle maneuvering, turbomachinery, fluid-structure/fluid-acoustic interactions, drag reduction, signatures, and code optimization for modern HPC systems
Provide technical oversight of complex simulations and interface across the organization to ensure high quality research output
Perform organizational leadership to the CFD Division, to include personnel management, recruitment, development, and retention of employees
Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:
Work with FDAO management team and other ARL offices to build the research portfolio, improve technical capabilities, and enhance cross discipline cooperation and collaboration
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
Master's degree or higher in an Engineering or Science discipline or higher plus ten years of related experience
Past success as a Principal Investigator in this field
Strong research track record of computational fluid dynamics with a focus in hydromechanics, hydroacoustics, maneuvering and controls, propulsion systems or related discipline
Previous success managing people with supervisory experience
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with past success in writing white papers or reports
Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Top Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility
Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:
Successful history of proposed and awarded research projects evidenced through securing external research funding
Demonstrated leadership of multi-discipline research projects
Expert-level knowledge of high-performance computing architectures and information systems
Experience with STAR-CCM+
Fully on-site located in State College, PA but, 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. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Division Head (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
19+ years of relevant experience
Required Certifications:
None

If filled as Division Head (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
14+ years of relevant experience
Required Certifications:
NoneARL’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 $203,808.00 - $336,300.00.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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Hotlines
Source: Penn State University on Workday · View original posting (opens in new tab)
This listingDivision Head - Computational Fluid Dynamics$203,808 to $336,300
Strategic Systems Operation Division Head$203,808 to $336,300
Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Engineering Division Head$203,808 to $336,300
Student Health Physician$198,756 to $308,040
Medical Director, University Health Services$228,540 to $354,252
Communications and Signal Processing Research and Development Engineer$168,000 to $318,840
Mission Systems Department Head$161,004 to $298,800
Chart as a table
| Role | Published base |
|---|---|
| Division Head - Computational Fluid Dynamics (this listing) | $203,808 - $336,300 |
| Strategic Systems Operation Division Head | $203,808 - $336,300 |
| Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Engineering Division Head | $203,808 - $336,300 |
| Student Health Physician | $198,756 - $308,040 |
| Medical Director, University Health Services | $228,540 - $354,252 |
| Communications and Signal Processing Research and Development Engineer | $168,000 - $318,840 |
| Mission Systems Department Head | $161,004 - $298,800 |
Observed changes
- First observed on the employer's board
- Began meeting the published-salary criteria
- Observed since
- Employer-stated posting date
- 2026-07-10
Where this pay comes from
Location as the employer wrote it: Penn State University Park
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $203,808.00 - $336,300.00.
- 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.
