Engineering Project Lead - Hybrid DoD Research

Applied Research Laboratory at the Penn State University; State College (Centre County); Hybrid; USD 62,304 - 102,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University seeks an early-career Engineering Project Manager to support the Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics Office (FDAO). The role targets candidates with 1–3 years of project management experience who want more responsibility and growth in a mission-driven environment.

The position involves direct financial management, scheduling, risk mitigation, and cross-team coordination, with on-site or hybrid work near State College, PA.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience contributing to project management activities in engineering, manufacturing, or research environments.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated initiative and willingness to take on increasing responsibility.
• A customer-focused mindset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and MS Project or similar tools.

Responsibilities

• Directly support project financial management, including proposals, budgets, forecasts, and reporting
• Create and monitor work breakdown structures and expenses
• Identify, address, and elevate roadblocks
• Build schedules, communicate with the project team, and facilitate meetings and internal processes
• Gather, ship, and archive research data and deliverables
• Execute and track lab material and software purchases by maintaining records, monitoring order status, and coordinating with vendors
• Build and maintain networks across the office, the lab, and Penn State
• Independently manage project financials for higher-scope efforts
• Proactively assess risks and roadblocks, mitigate, and drive resolution with the PI and stakeholders
• Facilitate cross-functional coordination across engineering and business service teams
• Resolve purchasing issues and ensure material ETAs align with project schedules
• Contribute to process improvements by refining templates and workflows

Skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Communication

Initiative

Customer focus

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

MS Project

MS Office

Job description

Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University seeks an early-career Engineering Project Manager to support the Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics Office (FDAO). The role targets candidates with 1–3 years of project management experience who want more responsibility and growth in a mission-driven environment.

The position involves direct financial management, scheduling, risk mitigation, and cross-team coordination, with on-site or hybrid work near State College, PA.