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- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
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.
POSITION SPECIFICS
We are searching for an experienced Contracts and Subcontracts Administrator to join our Contracts Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. In this role, you will be part of a team that provides support to U.S. Government customers. ARL Business Services enables and facilitates the research, scholarship, and creative endeavors of ARL by providing efficient and high-quality contracting, purchasing, accounting, and related capabilities to all ARL programs.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Administer, review, and negotiate award terms and conditions associated with proposal solicitations (e.g., Request for Proposal) processes, and manage the post-award administration, working with other administrators, subcontractors, and Principal Investigators (PIs) to ensure ARL, University, and federal policies are followed, monitoring for compliance
Prepare, review, and process financial and non-financial agreements, collaborating with PIs and others, in accordance with ARL Standard Operating Procedures and University policy
Provide guidance and advise staff and faculty on all aspects of grant and contract management
Respond to and consult with sponsors, PIs, Office Business Manager, and other departments throughout ARL and the University regarding reports, special terms and conditions, budgetary issues, and invoicing of sponsored programs
Review budgets and budget justifications, and provide input to PIs and other staff and faculty on appropriateness of budgeted items
Required skills/experience areas include:
Negotiation and administration of various government sponsored research agreements
Proposal preparation processes, including agreements (both financial and non-financial
Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation
Contract term negotiation processes
Microsoft Office
Success in an office environment, where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
Previous success with collaborations in a multi-disciplinary, team-oriented, culture
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
Eight or more years of related experience in government contracting or sponsored research, preferably in an academic setting
DoD research and development contracting on a CPFF basis
DoD or IC contracting experience
Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Top 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. 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 Contracts and Subcontracts Administrator (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 Contracts and Subcontracts Administrator (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
ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site 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 $75,408.00 - $132,204.00.
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. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
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.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree
- 3+ years of relevant experience in contracts or sponsored research (option to fill at 6+ years for senior level)
- Negotiation and administration of government sponsored research agreements
- Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
- Experience with proposal preparation processes and contract term negotiation
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office
- Strong communication and organizational skills and success in multidisciplinary team environments
- U.S. citizenship
- Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance and consent to background checks and drug testing
- Eight or more years of related experience in government contracting or sponsored research
- DoD research and development contracting on a CPFF basis
- DoD or Intelligence Community (IC) contracting experience
- Current eligibility or possession of Top Secret (or higher) access to classified information
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
Penn State University Insights
What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
