Engineering Project Manager

Penn State University is seeking an early-career Engineering Project Manager to join the Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics Office at the Applied Research Laboratory. 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 Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation You must be a U.S. citizen to apply Employment with the ARL will require 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 There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. It was founded in 1855, and is headquartered in University Park, pa, US, with a workforce of 10001+ employees. Its website is