Technical Engineering Project Manager (KEYPORT, WA)

Penn State University

2d•$116,496 - $254,100•Onsite

About The Position

We are searching for an experienced Technical Engineering Project Manager to join the Project Management & Controls Department within the Systems and Emerging Capabilities Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The primary purpose of this position is to lead the day-to-day tactical execution of one or more complex technical projects and/or sub-portion(s) of a large program within the Undersea Systems Office. The role requires a strong technical foundation to effectively manage and support multi-disciplinary teams working on advanced research and development efforts and to drive project execution to align outcomes with program objectives. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

Requirements

Significant experience and subject matter expertise with US Navy advanced undersea systems including their acquisition, design, fabrication, testing, operation, and maintenance
Successful record of project management experience on US Navy programs and strong written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated ability to support development of engineering concepts into fielded systems
Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Top Secret/SCI level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility
Bachelor's Degree 8+ years of relevant experience (if filled as Principal Professional) or Bachelor's Degree 6+ years of relevant experience (if filled as Senior Professional); or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Nice To Haves

Ability to express ideas successfully to drive understanding.
Past success in writing white papers or reports.
Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures.
Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems methodically.
Proactive, quality-conscious individual who thrives in customer-facing roles.
Program/Project Management training and/or certification.

Responsibilities

Provide operational leadership and oversight for one or more technical projects and/or sub-portion(s) of a large program in alignment with customer requirements
Coordinate and communicate with multi-functional teams, including engineering, operations, and support staff, to ensure project milestones are met
Oversee and support project reviews, ensuring all required technical, managerial, and customer approvals are obtained
Balance a mix of technical and non-technical program responsibilities, applying both strategic insight and hands-on management
Support technical reviews, design milestones, and system integration activities by collaborating closely with lead engineers and principal investigators
Ensure technical deliverables align with sponsor expectations, laboratory capabilities, and broader programmatic goals; track project performance metrics, and provide regular status updates to stakeholders
Identify and proactively manage risks across technical, schedule, and resource dimensions; develop and maintain mitigation plans
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
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
Recognize emerging trends in area of expertise
Work independently on complex issues
Anticipate potential problems and recommend possible solutions
Review work of others to verify technical soundness
Prepare written and/or verbal presentations on complex issues and deliver to a broad variety of audiences