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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 a highly motivated and self-starting Engineering Project Adviser to join the Agile Systems Engineering (ASE) Department in the Material Manufacturing and Sustainment Office (MMSO) at the Applied Research Laboratory 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. Focus is on rapid development of complex engineering systems requiring the integration of cross-disciplinary solutions and expertise.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Assist in project planning and development of project management work products in collaboration with technical leads
Create and review presentations and reports ensuring a range of products and accommodations are in place to support project execution including coordinating large meetings and project reviews hosted at ARL
Analyze program costs, schedules, and milestones to assess risk and manage any change to program deliverables
Report to ARL project leadership and external collaborators, to include government sponsors
Develop and manage technical and financial status reports and technical data package documentation for both internal and external stakeholders
Work closely with Program Managers, Lead Systems Engineers, and Principal Investigators to help ensure timely execution of project management activities and to help ensure smooth project execution
Required Skills/Experience areas include:
Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project
Project Management fundamental concepts and their application to real-world projects
Past success in writing white papers or reports
Ability to express ideas successfully to drive understanding
Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:
Microsoft Project and Visio
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
Past success working within a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), or other Government Laboratory
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
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 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 $68,604.00 - $102,900.00.
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.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 3+ years of relevant experience
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Project
- Understanding and application of project management fundamental concepts
- Experience writing white papers, reports, or technical documentation
- Strong written and verbal communication; ability to express ideas to drive understanding
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Eligible to obtain government security clearance; successful background check and drug testing required
- Willingness to work fully on-site in State College, PA
- Experience with Microsoft Visio
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
- Experience working within an FFRDC, UARC, or government laboratory
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher
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.
