Engineering Project Manager

Penn State University; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory in State College, PA or Reston, VA seeks an Engineering Project Advisor to join the Data Analysis Department. You will manage project cost, schedule, QA, and deliverables, coordinating with PIs, PMs, engineers, and researchers to meet commitments.

The role supports subcontract management, budget tracking, and executive briefings, with on-site responsibilities and potential hybrid arrangements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; 3+ years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience with financial and technical reporting, meetings, and facility/equipment needs.
• Eligibility for access to Top Secret/SCI security level.

Responsibilities

• Track and report project cost and schedule milestones; maintain QA and commitments.
• Manage subcontracting activities: expenditures, reporting, invoicing, and CDRL delivery.
• Coordinate project development processes and executive briefings.
• Prepare project documentation and support ODC tracking and disposition.
• Coordinate offsite team members and liaise with PSU/ARL staff and sponsors.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Excel

Confluence

JIRA

Stakeholder communication

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Confluence

JIRA

Microsoft Office

Office Suite

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

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, you will perform a wide variety of project management functions in support of classified projects from within secure facilities.

Required 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
• Across various projects, 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 (CRDLs) 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

Required Skills/Experience areas include

• 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, to include 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

Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA or Reston, VA, but options exist for hybrid of on-site/work from home based on project-dependent availability. 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 Adviser (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications: None

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
• Required 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 Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website 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.

Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL)

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. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

SALARY & BENEFITS

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.

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.

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.