Engineering Project Manager

Penn State University; Center (IN); Hybrid; USD 68,604 - 132,204; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount for employees, Sp

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory seeks an Engineering Project Adviser to support a broad range of multidisciplinary projects in the MMSO. The role focuses on transitioning electro‑optics technologies to Navy focus platforms, with a strong emphasis on cost tracking, reporting, and stakeholder communication.

The position offers hybrid on-site/remote work, located in Freeport, PA, and requires eligibility for a Secret‑level security clearance, plus PMP certification and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination.
• Advanced Professional track requires a Bachelor's and 3+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent.
• PMI PMP certification is preferred.
• Eligibility for a government security clearance and willingness to undergo investigation.
• Experience with FFRDC, UARC, or other government laboratories.
• Knowledge of government contracts, funding appropriations, and reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage financial and technical status reports for stakeholders; track labor and costs.
• Prepare and submit reporting materials (quarterly reports, quad charts) per sponsor guidelines.
• Maintain deliverable tracking charts and schedules; update as needed.
• Coordinate vendor activities: SOWs, RFQs, POs, delivery schedules.
• Organize project meetings; produce agendas, minutes, and action items.
• Serve as primary contact for PIs and external stakeholders; ensure timely deliverables.

Skills

Project management

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Visio

Financial tracking

Government contracts

Vendor management

Communication skills

Security clearance prep

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Visio

Job description

Application Instructions

• Current Penn State employee (faculty, staff, technical service, or student): please log in to Workday to complete the internal application process.
• Current Penn State student (not previously employed by the university) seeking employment: please log in to Workday to complete the student application process.
• Non‑employee or non‑student applicants: click “Apply” and complete the external application process.

Position Specifics

The Electro‑Optics and Electronics (EOE) Division of the Materials, Manufacturing, and Sustainment Office (MMSO) at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University is seeking a highly motivated and self‑starting Engineering Project Manager to support a broad range of projects encompassing multiple technical disciplines and scopes. The mission is to transition new electro‑optics technologies and applications to Navy‑selected focus platforms. Since 1999, the Electro‑Optics Center has proudly served as the Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) Manufacturing Technology Center of Excellence for Electro‑Optics.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. This is a hybrid on‑site/remote position, project‑dependent, located in Freeport, PA.

You Will

• Develop and manage financial and technical status reports and documentation for internal and external stakeholders; prioritize and recommend changes; support detailed labor and cost tracking.
• Compose and submit reporting materials (quarterly reports, quad charts, trip reports, project plan templates) in accordance with sponsor guidelines; analyze program costs, schedules, and milestones to assess risk and manage changes to deliverables.
• Maintain deliverable tracking charts/schedules to ensure compliance with sponsor guidelines and timely updates.
• Coordinate vendor activities, including SOWs, RFQs, POs, and delivery schedules, aligning them with project timelines and requirements.
• Organize and facilitate project meetings, produce agenda, minutes, and follow‑up actions.
• Serve as primary point of contact for Principal Investigators (PIs) and external stakeholders, addressing day‑to‑day requests and ensuring timely delivery of deliverables.

Additional Responsibilities for Higher‑Level Position

• Apply project management strategies to implement requirements; collaborate with investigators to develop, execute, and update the project plan.
• Facilitate communication among sponsors, investigators, resource managers, project engineers, and technical tradesmen; manage and track project schedule, resources, deliverables, and milestones.
• Coordinate stakeholder project and product needs; oversee adherence to sponsor requirements.
• Drive task/project budgets, work breakdowns, rough order estimates, task prioritization, and integration plans with investigators and program managers.
• Provide project data (cost and hours) to financial teams for budget creation and review; ensure accurate cost reporting for project close‑out.
• Collaborate with financial and property inventory teams to review fabrication costs; verify correct classification, work breakdowns, and coding for project close‑out.

Required Skills / Experience

• Microsoft Office applications including Project and Visio.
• Fundamental project management concepts and their application to real‑world projects.
• Financial tracking and reporting, including labor planning and cost analysis.
• Knowledge of government contracts, funding appropriations, and reporting requirements.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Experience in an office environment requiring strong communication and organizational skills.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience with FFRDC, UARC, or other government laboratories.
• Vendor relationship and supply‑chain management experience.
• Independent thinking and advanced problem‑solving skills (for higher‑level positions).
• Eligibility to obtain a Secret‑level security clearance and willingness to undergo a government background investigation if required.

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

Engineering Project Adviser – Senior Professional: Bachelor’s Degree and 6+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination.

Engineering Project Adviser – Advanced Professional: Bachelor’s Degree and 3+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination.

Background Checks & Clearance

Employment requires successful completion of background checks in accordance with University policies. Candidates must be eligible for a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. U.S. citizenship is required.

Salary & Benefits

Salary range: $68,604.00 – $132,204.00.

The salary structure follows Penn State’s established guidelines, and a comprehensive benefits package is offered to full‑time employees. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; robust retirement plans; paid time off (holidays, vacation, sick time); and a 75% tuition discount for employees, spouses, and children.

EEO Statement

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.