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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
Your working location will be on-site in State College, PA.
We are looking for highly motivated, proactive, self-starting applicants to join the Command, Control, and Communications Innovations team of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University as an Engineering Project Adviser. You will work in a growing area encompassing communications and signal processing disciplines.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
- Work closely with Program Managers, Engineering Teams, and Principle Investigators to execute project management activities and ensure efficient project execution
- Interface with internal systems used for fiscal accountability and budget generation
- Support project planning, budgeting, scheduling, resource allocation, and the tracking and reporting of technical performance and deliverables for ongoing projects and proposals
- Purchase electrical and mechanical components, generating required documentation, interfacing with contract manufacturers, and coordinating the assembly and testing of systems
- Create and review presentations and reports
- Analyze program costs, schedules, and milestones to assess risk and manage any change to program deliverables.
- Develop and manage financial status reports for internal and external stakeholders
- Travel to US Military and Government facilities to assist with field testing and hardware evaluation
- Work with our government sponsors to ensure that ARL is meeting expectations and obligations
Required Skills/Experience Areas Include:
- Proficient with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Project
- Good communication and writing skills. Demonstrated ability working with material vendors, subcontractors, engineering teams, and customers.
- Understanding of the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) and implementation of security procedures and document classification requirements.
- Active Security Clearance
Preferred Skills/Experience Areas Include:
- TS/SCI Clearance
- PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or DAWIA equivalent
- Experience with enterprise resource planning software (ProPricer, SAP, Concur, etc.)
- Previous travel to US Military or Government facilities.
- Field testing and hardware installation experience
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Engineering Project Adviser (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires: Master's Degree 8+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None If filled as Engineering Project Adviser (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
ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.
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 $80,100.00 - $152,004.00.
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
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Project
- Strong communication and writing skills
- Experience working with material vendors, subcontractors, engineering teams, and customers
- Understanding of NISPOM, security procedures, and document classification requirements
- Active security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Principal Professional: Master's degree and 8+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent
- Senior Professional: Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent
- TS/SCI clearance
- PMI Certified Associate in Project Management or DAWIA equivalent
- Experience with enterprise resource planning software such as ProPricer, SAP, or Concur
- Previous travel to U.S. military or government facilities
- Field testing and hardware installation experience
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.
