SD-WAN Solutions 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.

POSITION SPECIFICS We are searching for an innovative and technically skilled

SD-WAN Solutions Development Engineer to join our Cloud Technology Advancement

Department within the Cyber, Modeling and Simulation (CMS) Division at the

Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. Our department advances

cutting-edge networking solutions for DoD, 4th estate, and IC communities. In

this role, you will design, develop, and implement next-generation Software

Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) solutions that directly impact national

security through network modernization and technology innovation. ARL is an

authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military

members to apply. You will: Design and develop next-generation SD-WAN

architectures and solutions for DoD and IC environments Research, prototype, and

advance emerging SD-WAN technologies including SASE, zero-trust architectures,

and cloud-integrated networking Implement network automation frameworks using

Python, Ansible, and infrastructure-as-code tools Deploy and test SD-WAN

solutions in both connected and internet-disconnected (Dark Cloud) environments

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transition R&D innovations from

concept through prototype to operational solutions Document technical

specifications, research findings, and architecture designs Support solution

deployments and troubleshooting in classified environments Additional

responsibilities for higher level positions include: Lead technical architecture

design, discovery, and validation for complex SD-WAN implementations Mentor

junior engineers and provide technical guidance on advanced networking concepts

Take responsibility and accountability for program outcomes and research

deliverables Present technical concepts and innovations to senior leadership

including General Officers, SES, or Presidential appointees Drive strategic

technical discussions supporting technology adoption and modernization

initiatives Required skills/experience areas include: Hands-on experience

designing and implementing SD-WAN solutions using hardware-based or

software-based platforms (e.g., Cisco Viptela, Fortinet, Palo Alto Prisma,

VMware VeloCloud, Juniper Session Smart Router, or DISA APL-listed solutions)

Strong understanding of routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP), overlay

technologies (VXLAN, GRE, IPsec), and WAN optimization Experience with network

automation and programmability using scripting languages (Python, Ansible) and

APIs Deep knowledge of DoD/IC security concepts including zero-trust

architectures, encryption, and secure network segmentation Active DoD Secret

clearance (minimum requirement) DoD 8140/8570 IAT II baseline certification

(Security+ce, GSEC, or SSCP) Preferred skills/experience areas include: Active

DoD TS/SCI clearance or TS/SCI with Polygraph (highly preferred; clearance

upgrades may be required based on program needs) Experience with Rapid Prototype

and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) advancement in networking domain SASE

architecture implementation and multi-cloud networking (AWS, Azure, GCP) Dell

enterprise switching (OS10, PowerSwitch) or Juniper platforms (SRX, MX Series,

Junos OS) Software development experience for network automation and DevSecOps

integration Network Function Virtualization (NFV), SDN controllers, and

containerized networking (Kubernetes, service meshes) Industry certifications:

CCNA/CCNP/CCIE, Fortinet NSE, Palo Alto PCNSE, Juniper JNCIS/JNCIP, VMware

VCP-NV, DoD 8140/8570 IAT III (CISSP/CASP), or vendor-specific SD-WAN

certifications Publication record or patent portfolio in networking domain U.S.

Military Veterans & U.S. Military Reservists Your working location fully on-site

located in State College, PA, but options exist for hybrid of on-site/work from

home based on project-dependent ability. This position will require periodic

travel with limited notice (potentially less than 3 days) in support of solution

deployments, testing, or troubleshooting to locations including Europe, Asia,

San Diego CA, and other CONUS locations. MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE &

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Senior

Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science

14+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as

Research and Development Engineer - 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 - 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 $91,488.00 - $202,464.00.

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. Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster

Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines There’s a reason Penn State

consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across

24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real

measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on

communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s

sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact

to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across

the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong –

driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn

State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in

shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and

alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service

and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for

all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers

at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility,

Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community.

Impacting Many.