Edtech.com's Summary

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring an Engineering Project Manager for its Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics Office. The role involves leading and coordinating high-impact technical research projects by collaborating with Principal Investigators and managing project plans, budgets, schedules, and communications to ensure alignment with sponsor requirements.

Highlights

Lead or assist in managing technical research projects from initiation through closeout.
Translate technical objectives into actionable project plans with Principal Investigators and task teams.
Use internal systems for budget tracking, fiscal accountability, and cost review.
Act as liaison between ARL internal departments and external sponsors.
Manage project risks, resources, schedules, deliverables, and communications.
Required skills: degree in Engineering or Science, successful project leadership in manufacturing or research, proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project or similar), and problem-solving ability.
Preferred skills: experience as a Principal Investigator, Agile methodology expertise, eligibility for Secret-level security clearance, and active project management certification (PMP, PMI-ACP, CSM, PSM).
Minimum qualifications for Senior Professional level: Bachelor’s degree and 6+ years relevant experience; for Advanced Professional: Bachelor’s degree and 3+ years relevant experience.
Salary range: $86,300 to $145,700, subject to geographic differential.
Employment requires U.S. citizenship, ability to obtain government security clearance, background checks, and a pre-employment drug screen.

Engineering Project Manager Full Description

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 experienced, customer service oriented, and self-motivated Engineering Project Manager to join the Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics Office (FDAO) of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. In this growing team of project managers, you'll play a key role in driving project success by leading and coordinating high-impact research projects and partnering closely with Principal Investigators (PIs) to align technical goals with execution strategies. If you thrive in a collaborative environment and have a passion for leading complex projects, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

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

You will:

Engage with Principal Investigators (PIs) and engineering and technical task teams to translate technical objectives into actionable project plans, while maintaining sponsor alignment
Lead or assist in the management of technical research projects from initiation and execution to closeout
Use internal systems for budget tracking and fiscal accountability
Act as a liaison to both internal ARL departments and offices as well as external sponsors
Manage risks, resources, schedules, deliverables, and communications across multiple projects

Additional responsibilities for higher level position includes:

Utilize project management strategies for implementing project requirements; collaborate with investigators to develop, execute, and update the project plan; monitor and facilitate technical project execution, milestones, and deliverables
Facilitate communication between sponsors, investigators, resource managers, project engineers, and technical tradesmen; manage and track project schedule, resources, deliverables, and milestones; monitor technical project execution to ensure timely and quality deliverables
Manage stakeholder project and product needs; coordinate with investigators to manage and adhere to sponsor requirements
Facilitate task/project budgets, work breakdowns, rough order estimates, task prioritization, and integration plans with investigators and program managers; coordinate with investigators and financial teams to create project budget baseline; establish and update the project budget
Provide relevant project data including cost and hours input to financial teams to create estimates; review project costs on a regular basis to ensure accuracy in preparation for project close out
Collaborate with financial and property inventory teams to review fabrication costs; ensure correct classification, work breakdowns, and coding in preparation for project close out

Required skills and experience include:

Engineering or Science discipline degree
Demonstrated success leading projects in a manufacturing or research environment
Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Project (or similar)
Past success in providing quality results with minimal supervision
Demonstrated ability to work through difficult problems, using proper steps to define and formulate ideas to reach a solution

Preferred skills and experience include:

Demonstrated success as a Principal Investigator (PI) on projects
Proven experience in the use of Agile methodologies
Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility
Active project management certification / training (e.g. PMP, PMI-ACP, CSM, PSM)

Your working location can be hybrid on-site/work from home, located near or around the State College Area. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Engineering Project Manager - Senior Professional, this position

requires:Bachelor's Degree6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as Engineering Project Manager - Advanced Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired 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 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.

All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.

SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $86,300.00 - $145,700.00.**THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL**

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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Original Job Description