Technical Engineering Project Manager (KEYPORT, WA)

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.

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.

Location will be Keyport, WA.

ARL is an authorized DoD Skill Bridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

• 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

• 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

• 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.

Your working location will be fully on‑site located in Keyport, WA. This…