Engineering Project Manager

Penn State University • University Park, IL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

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

Requirements

• 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)

Nice To Haves

• 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)

Responsibilities

• 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
• 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

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level