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- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- 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 seeking an early-career Engineering Project Manager to join the Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics Office (FDAO) at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This role is ideal for a candidate with approximately 1–3 years of current project management experience who is ready to take on increased responsibility and grow within a mission-driven environment. The selected candidate will support research programs and laboratory operations while working alongside a collaborative team of engineers and senior project managers
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Directly support project financial management, including proposals, budgets, forecasts, and reporting
Create and monitor work breakdown structures and expenses
Identify, address, and escalate roadblocks
Build schedules, communicate with the project team, and facilitate meetings and internal processes
Gather, ship, and archive research data and deliverables
Execute and track lab material and software purchases by maintaining records, monitoring order status, and coordinating with vendors
Build and maintain networks across the office, the lab, and Penn State
Additional responsibilities for higher-level positions include:
Independently manage project financials for efforts with increased scope or complexity
Proactively assess risks and roadblocks, recommend mitigation strategies, and drive resolution in coordination with the Principal Investigator and stakeholders
Facilitate cross-functional coordination, ensuring alignment across engineering and business service teams
Resolve purchasing issues and ensure material ETAs align with project schedules
Contribute to process improvement efforts by refining templates and identifying opportunities to streamline project management processes within the team
Required skills and experience include:
1+ years of experience contributing to project management activities in an engineering, manufacturing, or research environment
Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
Demonstrated initiative and willingness to take on increasing responsibility
A customer-focused mindset
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Project or similar tools)
Preferred skills and experience include:
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
Part fabrication processes
Knowledge of materials used in a research lab and familiarity with engineering software
PSUBuy (or similar systems)
Active project management certification or training (e.g., CAPM, PMP)
Your working location may be fully on-site or hybrid (on-site/work from home) near State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work arrangements should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position will require minimal periodic travel to ARL and sponsor locations in support of managing projects and meetings.
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
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 $62,304.00 - $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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PA State Labor Law Poster
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
- 1+ years of experience contributing to project management activities in an engineering, manufacturing, or research environment
- Strong organizational and communication skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities
- Demonstrated initiative and willingness to take on increasing responsibility
- Customer-focused mindset
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Project or similar tools)
- U.S. citizenship (must be a U.S. citizen to apply)
- Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance and successful completion of background checks/drug testing
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher
- Familiarity with part fabrication processes
- Knowledge of materials used in a research lab and familiarity with engineering software
- Experience with PSUBuy or similar procurement systems
- Active project management certification or training (e.g., CAPM, PMP)
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.
