Careers

World-class research demands a world-class workforce

We’re a diverse group of scientists, researchers, industry professionals, and creative thinkers. We seek intellectually curious, conscientious, and creative people to solve complex problems pursuant to our national security mission.

We take pride in our work and we rely on each other to find solutions for complicated challenges. We find strength in our unique perspectives and experiences as we learn and grow within ARL. Our people drive the success of any endeavor we pursue.

Why ARL?

We know that the needs of today’s workforce are constantly evolving. As part of Penn State, you’ll enjoy an excellent benefits package, including:

  • Medical coverage, including prescription drug coverage
  • Vision
  • Dental
  • Retirement plans, including supplemental retirement
  • Tuition discount
  • Paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and bereavement time

In addition to our generous benefits package, as an ARL employee you’ll have access to cutting-edge facilities and equipment. You’ll work alongside award-winning people whose passion for exploration, innovation, and discovery has led them to be recognized as national leaders in many of our areas of expertise. We encourage you to explore new areas of the Laboratory and to seek mentorship from the nearly 1,600 people who comprise our workforce.

We value your professional growth while at the Laboratory. Our R&D promotion process provides guidance and clarity as you navigate your career path. No matter where you are in your career, you belong at ARL. We offer opportunities for professional development not just at the Laboratory, but at Penn State as a whole.

ARL is also an authorized SkillBridge organization. The DOD SkillBridge program provides an opportunity for service members to gain valuable civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during the last 180 days of service. DOD SkillBridge connects transitioning service members with industry partners in real-world job experiences.

For more information on the SkillBridge program, please visit the DOD SkillBridge website, or contact us using the form on the contact page and select SkillBridge in the reason dropdown.

Why Penn State?

Engagement is at the heart of the Penn State work experience. And what does it take for the approximately 39,000 employees of Penn State to work as one team? It takes shared ownership, by every team member, of Penn State’s inspiring set of core values. Prominent among these are:

  • Collaboration
  • Dignity of the individual
  • Diversity of team members
  • Equality of opportunity
  • Freedom of expression
  • Civility
  • Shared governance
  • Service to others

By living out these values, the people of Penn State champion a work culture of mutual respect, receptivity to new ideas, assertive helpfulness, and other characteristics that promote successful, satisfying job performance.

Nestled in the heart of central Pennsylvania, you’ll find ARL’s University Park facilities convenient to all kinds of activities the entire family can enjoy. Centre County’s picturesque landscapes provide access to skiing, hiking, fishing, cycling, and a host of other outdoor activities.

Penn State plays host to nationally-ranked art installations, theater productions, and premier speakers—some of which are offered at a discounted cost to employees. If the urge to explore beyond “Happy Valley” strikes, major cities including Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg are all accessible within a day’s drive.

ARL is committed to our employee’s health and well-being by supporting Penn State initiatives, local health officials, and government leaders in preventing COVID-19 in the workplace.

Our employees whose work or research can be done remotely, from home, are doing so. We have also given the opportunity of a flexible work schedule to assist our employees who have other obligations to consider. For those whose work or research requires them to be in our laboratories, offices, or on campus, we are following all protocols necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including mandatory mask training, strict safety procedures, and a network of contacts for reporting any ill-feeling symptoms.

As new employees join our workforce, the above guidelines apply. 

You can be confident that we will maintain our vigilant enforcement of all COVID-19 protocols in our workplace to ensure the health and safety of everyone.

Our strength comes from our people… we are a diverse group of professionals who hail from all over this great Nation, with all kinds of experience and expertise. As a team, we will get through this together with patience, diligence, vigilance, and resilience.