Technical Engineering Project Manager

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition discount

Benefits package

Paid time off

Job summary

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University in State College, PA is seeking an experienced analyst to join the Research Artificial Intelligence Department. You will lead data labeling projects, mentor junior analysts, and ensure labeling quality across multiple data types to support machine learning research.

You will collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and researchers, develop labeling guidelines, and manage timelines while adhering to cybersecurity and governance

Qualifications

• Demonstrated data labeling/annotation expertise for ML projects.
• Experience leading teams including junior staff/interns.
• Data quality principles and inter-annotator agreement/audit workflows.
• Familiar with ML concepts and how labeled data supports training/evaluation.
• Defense/military research context and operational problems addressed.
• Existing professional network to share/transition research broadly.
• Experience supporting military/IC/federal customers in secure environments.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity and data-handling practices (NIST RMF).
• Strong communication and organizational skills in dynamic settings.
• Current TS/SCI eligibility or potential for clearance upgrade.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end data labeling projects with standards and thresholds.
• Perform labeling/annotation across data types with focus on quality.
• Mentor and coordinate junior analysts and interns, ensuring throughput.
• Develop labeling guidelines, taxonomies, and documentation.
• Implement quality control processes including audits and IA checks.
• Collaborate with data scientists/engineers to translate requirements into schemas.
• Track progress, report status, and escalate blockers or risks.
• Ensure data handling complies with cybersecurity and governance rules.
• Gain context of mission to improve labeling quality and prioritization.
• Support dissemination of research and engage with technical communities.
• Identify tool/process improvements to increase efficiency.

Skills

Data labeling

Team leadership

Quality control

ML concepts

Defense domain

Professional network

Security environment

Cybersecurity/NIST RMF

Communication skills

Clearance eligibility TS/SCI

Education

Bachelor's Degree + 6+ yrs experience

Bachelor's Degree + 3+ yrs experience

Job description

Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. We are searching for an experienced analyst to join our Research Artificial Intelligence Department of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This role will focus on planning, executing, and delivering high-quality labeled datasets that fuel machine learning models and research outcomes. You will also contribute to data labeling and analysis while leading and mentoring a team of junior analysts and interns to complete labeling projects accurately, consistently, and on schedule.

You will:

• Lead end-to-end execution of data labeling projects, including defining labeling standards, workflows, quality criteria, and acceptance thresholds in support of machine learning initiatives
• Perform data labeling and annotation across relevant data types, setting the standard for quality and consistency on the team
• Lead, mentor, and coordinate a team of junior analysts and interns, assigning work, reviewing output, and ensuring labeling accuracy, throughput, and timely delivery
• Develop and maintain labeling guidelines, taxonomies, and documentation to ensure consistency and repeatability across labelers
• Establish and monitor quality control processes, including inter-annotator agreement checks, spot audits, and error correction workflows
• Partner with data scientists, engineers, and research leads to understand model requirements and translate them into effective labeling schemas and datasets
• Track project progress, throughput, and quality metrics; report status and elevate risks or blockers as needed
• Ensure all data handling, labeling, and storage practices comply with applicable cybersecurity, information governance, and data-handling requirements
• Develop a strong understanding of the mission and the problems being solved, and apply that context to improve labeling quality and prioritization
• Support the dissemination of research and results to the broader technical and operational community, leveraging professional networks and outreach where possible
• Identify and recommend improvements to labeling tools, processes, and workflows to increase efficiency and quality
• Coordinate schedules, priorities, and resources across the labeling effort and with dependent project teams

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

• Demonstrated experience leading or performing data labeling, annotation, or data preparation for machine learning projects
• Past success leading, mentoring, or coordinating a team, including junior staff and/or interns
• Data quality principles and quality control methods (e.g., inter-annotator agreement, audit workflows)
• Familiarity with machine learning concepts and how labeled data supports model training and evaluation
• Strong understanding of the defense mission, including the operational problems that applied research seeks to address
• An existing professional network/connections and experience helping share or transition research to the broader technical or operational community
• Success supporting the military, IC, federal customers, in a security-controlled environment
• Familiarity with cybersecurity, information governance, and data-handling practices (e.g., NIST RMF)
• Success in environments where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the TS/SCI level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as Technical Engineering Project Manager (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications: None

If filled as Technical Engineering Project Manager (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

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $92,100.00 - $174,708.00. 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.

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.

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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