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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 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 includes:
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, 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 $105,900.00 - $231,000.00.
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 and 6+ years of relevant experience for the Senior Professional level
- Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of relevant experience for the Principal Professional level
- Engineering foundation enabling contribution to system-level technical discussions and decisions
- Project management fundamentals
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project
- Ability to communicate ideas effectively and drive understanding
- U.S. citizenship
- Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance
- Experience in a University Affiliated Research Center, Federally Funded Research and Development Center, or government laboratory
- Mission engineering, systems integration, or Model-Based Systems Engineering experience
- Project Management Professional certification or similar formal project management training
- 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.
