Technical Engineering Project Manager

Penn State University; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory, Mission Systems Department, seeks a self-starting Technical Engineering Project Manager to lead day-to-day execution of complex projects and serve as the nexus between technology and operations, delivering integrated solutions to mission challenges.

The role requires a Bachelor's Degree and 8+ years of relevant experience, with strong skills in scope management, scheduling, budgeting, and cross‑functional coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience leading complex engineering projects in a DoD or university-affiliated lab context.
• Strong ability to manage scope, schedule, and budget.
• Proven capability to coordinate cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of complex engineering project tasks to meet objectives.
• Define and monitor scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Coordinate across multidisciplinary teams to ensure alignment.
• Develop technical status updates and reports for sponsors.
• Manage change control and integrated project schedules.
• Support design milestones and system integration activities.

Skills

Engineering foundation

Project management fundamentals

Effective communication

Ability to express ideas clearly

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for a self-starting Technical Engineering Project Manager to join our Mission Systems Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. Our mission is to support research, design and application of engineering development methodologies supporting the strategic advancement of warfighter capability at the speed of relevance. This role will lead the day-to-day tactical execution of complex technical projects and sub-portions of major programs and serve as the nexus between technology and operations, delivering integrated solutions to real-world mission challenges.

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

You Will:

• Lead the execution of complex engineering project tasks and technical work packages to achieve program objectives
• Define, maintain, and monitor project scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables throughout the project lifecycle
• Coordinate across multidisciplinary engineering, operations, and support teams to ensure alignment and successful project execution
• Serve as a liaison with resource managers to coordinate staffing needs and ensure appropriate resources are available to support project objectives
• Develop and deliver technical status updates, project briefings, and progress reports to sponsors and key stakeholders
• Coordinate and support technical reviews, design milestones, system integration activities, and other key project events
• Monitor earned value, performance metrics, project risks, and mitigation strategies to identify and address potential issues
• Manage configuration and change control processes to maintain accurate and controlled project baselines
• Develop and maintain integrated project schedules, resource plans, and work breakdown structures to support effective planning and execution

Additional responsibilities for higher-level position include:

• Oversee the collection and archival of project documentation, including technical reports, meeting minutes, lessons learned, and close-out reports
• Support the preparation and delivery of technical presentations, briefings, and status reports to sponsors, leadership, and external collaborators
• Ensure project execution complies with internal policies, customer requirements, and applicable government regulations
• Support internal audits or sponsor reviews by providing accurate, timely project documentation and analysis
• Assist with the transition of research to development or field-ready systems by coordinating planning, demonstrations, and documentation
• Contribute in a technical capacity to projects and/or programs, as needed
• May support proposal preparation by contributing schedule estimates, risk assessments, and technical input as needed
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

• Engineering foundation with the ability to contribute effectively to system-level technical discussions and decision-making
• Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project
• Project management fundamentals
• Ability to express ideas successfully to drive understanding

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:

• Past success within a University Affiliated Research Center/Federally Funded Research and Development Center, or government laboratory
• Mission engineering, systems integration, or Model-Based Systems Engineering
• Project Management Professional or similar formal project management training
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required

Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

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

• Bachelor's Degree
• 8+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Required Certifications:

• None

If filled as Technical Engineering Project Manager (ARL) - Senior Professional,