The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University is seeking an early-career Engineering Project Manager to join the Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics Office. This role involves supporting research programs and laboratory operations while collaborating with a team of engineers and senior project managers.
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
Skills
- 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)
- Bachelor's Degree and 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
- Ability to obtain a government security clearance
- Must be a U.S. citizen to apply
- Successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies
- Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen
- 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)
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Robust retirement plans
- Substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time
- Generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children
Company Overview
- The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University is an integral part of one of the leading research universities in the nation. It was founded in 1945, and is headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania, USA, with a workforce of 1001-5000 employees. Its website is https://www.arl.psu.edu.