Engineering Project Manager

We are searching for an Engineering Project Advisor to join our Data Analysis Department team of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. As part of the Information Science Division, our mission is to research, develop, and apply technical innovations that provide Decision Advantage through the use of visualization, analytics, GIS, simulation, and collaboration technologies. This role performs a wide variety of project management functions in support of classified projects from within secure facilities. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with principal investigators (PI), program manager (PM), project engineers, and researchers to track and report on project cost and schedule milestones, maintain quality assurance processes, and maintain focus on delivering project commitments.
• Facilitate, coordinate, and lead aspects of subcontract management, including monitoring current subcontractor expenditures, reporting, invoicing, and Contract Deliverable Requirements Lists (CDRL) delivery, documentation preparation related to new subcontracts and subcontractor facility/equipment needs, and subcontractor review meetings.
• Coordinate effective project development processes and procedures.
• Coordinate and refine both technical and executive-level briefings.
• Support the tracking of (CDRLs) across various projects to ensure quality, completeness, and timely delivery.
• Prepare reports and other associated project and/or program documentation.
• Support the acquisition, tracking, and disposition of project other-direct-costs (ODCs) to include equipment, software, and licenses.
• Support offsite project team members through meeting and event coordination to ensure internal and external commitments are achieved.
• Interact regularly with PSU/ARL staff and sponsors, stakeholders, and internal project teams, including ARL’s Enterprise organizations (IT, Security, Subcontracts, Facilities) to ensure team needs are effectively communicated, tracked, and completed.

Additional responsibilities of higher-level positions include:

• Development of new or refined project-specific processes and procedures.
• Facilitating and leading the creation of project budgets, work breakdowns, rough order estimates, task prioritization, and integration plans with principal investigators and program managers.
• Researching and recommending project management policies, principles, and practices.

Requirements

• Project management including tracking project cost, schedule milestones, quality assurance processes, and the management of project commitments and timelines.
• Support of projects to include financial and technical reporting, meeting planning facilitation, and facility/equipment needs.
• Experience with the following tool suites: Microsoft applications, including strong user experience with Excel, Atlassian (Confluence and JIRA).
• Success in environments where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective.
• Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures.
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Top Secret/SCI level.

Qualifications

If filled as Engineering Project Adviser (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.

If filled as Engineering Project Adviser (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 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. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

Schedule

Your working location will be fully on-site in State College, PA or Reston, VA, but options exist for hybrid of on-site/work from home based on project-dependent availability.

Pay

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $74,760.00 - $123,480.00. This salary range includes an adjustment based on required geographic work location.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off, including holidays, vacation, and sick time.
• Generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.