Engineering Project Adviser

Position Specifications

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 Skill Bridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

• 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

• 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)

• 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)

Your working location may be fully on-site or hybrid (on-site/work from home) near State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work arrangements should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position will require minimal periodic travel to ARL and sponsor locations in support of managing projects and meetings.

• Engineering Project Adviser (ARL) – Advanced Professional:
  Bachelor's Degree, 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted. Required
  
  Certifications:
  
  None.
• Engineering Project Adviser (ARL) – Intermediate Professional:
  Bachelor's Degree, 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted. Required
  
  Certifications:
  
  None.

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…