Engineering Project Manager

Penn State University • Freeport, PA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Electro-Optics and Electronics (EOE) Division of the Materials, Manufacturing, and Sustainment Office (MMSO) at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University is seeking a highly motivated and self-starting Engineering Project Manager to support a broad range of projects encompassing multiple technical disciplines and scopes. Our mission is to transition new electro-optics technologies and applications to Navy-selected focus platforms. Since 1999, the Electro-Optics Center has proudly served as the Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) Manufacturing Technology Center of Excellence for Electro-Optics. This is a hybrid on-site/work from home, project-dependent ability for hybrid work located in Freeport, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Requirements

• Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Project and Visio
• Fundamental project management concepts and their application to real-world projects
• Financial tracking and reporting, including labor planning and cost analysis
• Government contracts, including contract types, funding appropriations, and reporting requirements
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Success in an office environment where strong communication and organizational skills are essential for effectiveness
• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

Nice To Haves

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• FFRDC, UARC, or other government laboratories
• Managing vendor relationships and supply chain activities
• Extensive experience with government contracts, including contract types, funding
• For higher level positions: requires the application of independent thinking and advanced problem-solving skills
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher, and willingness to undergo a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required

Responsibilities

• Financial tracking and reporting: Develop and manage technical and financial status reports, as well as technical data package documentation for internal and external stakeholders; set priorities and recommend changes as needed; assist with detailed labor and cost tracking, including mid-month and end-of-project financial updates, and generate custom reports for external presentations
• Reporting and compliance: Assemble and submit regular reporting materials in accordance with sponsor guidelines, including quarterly reports, quad charts, trip reports, and project plan templates; analyze program costs, schedules, and milestones to assess risk and manage changes to program deliverables; this includes regular reporting to ARL project leadership and external collaborators, including government sponsors, and requires the application of independent thinking and advanced problem-solving skills
• Track and manage project deliverables: Develop and maintain deliverable tracking charts/schedules, ensuring compliance with sponsor guidelines and timely updates
• Vendor and supply chain management: Coordinate vendor activities, including SOWs, RFQs, POs, and delivery schedules, ensuring alignment with project timelines and requirements
• Meeting facilitation: Organize and facilitate project meetings, including agenda creation, meeting minutes, and follow-up actions
• Stakeholder engagement: Serve as a primary point of contact for Principal Investigators (PIs) and external stakeholders, assisting with day-to-day requests and ensuring deliverables are met on time

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: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees