Engineering Project Manager

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition discount (75%)

Competitive benefits package

Generous paid time off

Job summary

The Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University seeks an Engineering Project Advisor to support the Data Analysis Department. The role covers cost/schedule reporting, subcontract management, and coordination across IT, Security, and Facilities in a secure environment.

Responsibilities include briefing development, offsite team support, and ensuring timely delivery of project milestones. On-site/hybrid work options exist in PA or VA; US citizenship required for security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with 3+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a security clearance (Top Secret/SCI).
• Experience with project management, subcontracting, and cost/schedule reporting.

Responsibilities

• Track and report project cost and schedule milestones and maintain QA processes.
• Manage subcontracting activities: expenditures, invoicing, and CDRL delivery.

Skills

Project management

Budget tracking

Subcontract management

Reporting

Meeting facilitation

Excel

Confluence

JIRA

Communication

Security clearance TS/SCI

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

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.

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

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.

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

Location

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.

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.

• 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.

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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