Project Manager

Project ManagerPlease see Special Instructions for more details.This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.Posting InformationPosting Number - PG194905EPInternal Recruitment - NoWorking Title - Project ManagerAnticipated Hiring Range - Commensurate with education and experience (anticipated hiring range $85,000-$95,000)Work Schedule - Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm (additional work outside of standard hours may be required due to business needs)Job Location - Raleigh, NCDepartment - Office of University Interdisciplinary ProgramsAbout the Department - Overview/Introduction of the Organizational UnitThe Self-driving Platforms for Expedited Experimental co-Design (SPEED) Programmable Cloud Laboratory is a $20 million National Science Foundation-funded national user facility led by NC State University.SPEEDenables remotely accessible autonomous robotic experimentation in chemistry and materials science through integrated automation, AI, data infrastructure, and scientific instrumentation.Introduction to the Work—Primary PurposeThe Project Manager manages execution of SPEED'sNSF-funded program across scientific, engineering, facility, and administrative workstreams. The position owns the integrated project plan,NSFmilestones and reporting, risk management, and cross-team accountability; directly supervises 1–2 program staff and exercises matrix project-management leadership acrossSPEEDto keep sponsor commitments and user-facility deliverables on schedule.Wolfpack Perks and Benefits - As a Pack member,you belong here,and can enjoyexclusive perksdesigned to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review ourEmployee Value Propositionand learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.What we offer:Medical,Dental, andVisionFlexible Spending AccountRetirement ProgramsDisability PlansLife InsuranceAccident PlanPaid Time Off and Other Leave Programs12 Holidays Each YearTuitionandAcademic AssistanceAnd so much more!Attain Work-life balance with ourChildcarebenefits,Wellness & Recreation Membership, andWellness Programsthat aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.Essential Job Duties - As the Project Manager forSPEED(Self-driving Platforms for Expedited Experimental co-Design), anNSF-funded national user facility for remotely accessible autonomous robotic experimentation in chemistry and materials science, you will lead program-wide planning, coordination, and execution across SPEED's scientific, engineering, operational, and infrastructure workstreams. You will manage integrated schedules, milestones, dependencies, risks, and deliverables to ensure progress remains aligned withNSFaward commitments, annual objectives, facility deployment, and user-program goals.You will serve as the central project-management interface amongSPEEDleadership, scientists, engineers, operations staff, university offices, vendors, and partner institutions, ensuring responsibilities, deadlines, and decisions are clearly defined and followed through. You will also leadNSFreporting and program documentation, supervise program staff, and establish consistent project-management practices across the Center.Primary ResponsibilitiesProject Planning andNSFDeliverablesDevelop and maintain SPEED's integrated project plan, including milestones, dependencies, responsible workstream leads, and due dates.Establish project timelines and priorities withSPEEDleadership and ensure responsible teams follow through on agreed deliverables.Monitor progress againstNSFaward commitments, annual objectives, equipment deployment, facility readiness, and user-program milestones.Identify schedule, resource, and cross-workstream risks and lead development of corrective actions with responsible teams.Maintain executive dashboards summarizing project status, risks, delays, decisions, and upcoming critical milestones.ProvideSPEEDleadership with clear recommendations when project issues require prioritization, escalation, or resource decisions.NSFReporting and Program DocumentationManage theNSFreporting calendar and ensure required technical, operational, user, workforce, and performance inputs are complete and submitted on schedule.Coordinate and verify milestone evidence, annual-report inputs, site-visit materials, and sponsor-review documentation acrossSPEEDteams.Track project metrics and deliverables against the Project Execution Plan and otherNSFrequirements.Maintain centralized records of decisions, action items, risks, completed milestones, and supporting documentation.Prepare program summaries, milestone reports, presentations, and review materials in coordination withSPEEDleadership.Establish consistent documentation and reporting practices that supportNSFreviews, site visits, annual reporting, and program accountability.Team and Cross-Functional Program ManagementSupervise 1–2 program staff assigned to areas such as outreach/user engagement and program or administrative support.Set priorities, assign work, review deliverables, and provide regular performance feedback to direct reports.Lead project and working-group meetings and document decisions, owners, deadlines, and unresolved issues.Manage dependencies across scientists, engineers, operations staff, university offices, vendors, and partner institutions.Serve as the central project-management point of contact forSPEEDleadership and collaborating teams.Risk, Resource, and Sponsor CoordinationMaintain the program risk register and require mitigation plans for significant technical, procurement, staffing, schedule, or administrative risks.Resolve or escalate resource conflicts and schedule delays with clear options and recommended actions.Manage cross-functional timelines for major equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, facilities, IT, safety, and contracting dependencies.Coordinate logistics and materials forNSFreviews, advisory-board meetings, site visits, and major program meetings.Standardize project-management templates, reporting practices, and accountability processes acrossSPEED.In this role, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by connecting people, timelines, resources, and deliverables to support SPEED's research and program goals and its commitments toNSF. If you are an organized and collaborative program leader who enjoys bringing structure to complex initiatives, coordinating teams, and keeping high-priority work moving forward, we welcome you to apply.Other Responsibilities - In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.QualificationsMinimum Education and Experience - Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, project management, business administration, or a related field.Other Required Qualifications - Five or more years of experience managing complex research, engineering, technical, or infrastructure projects.Demonstrated experience owning project schedules, milestones, dependencies, risks, deliverables, and executive reporting.Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and driving accountability across multiple concurrent projects.Experience supervising staff or providing formal project leadership across matrixed teams.Strong organizational, analytical, written communication, and decision-making skills.Preferred Qualifications - Managed federally funded research programs, includingNSFawards, research centers, or user facilities, with responsibility for milestones, deliverables, budgets, or sponsor requirements.Preparation of sponsor reports and milestone reviews, with coordination of deliverables across multi-institutional research programs and university research environments.Technical background in scientific research, engineering, laboratory automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, or research infrastructure.Management of major equipment, facility, procurement, or commissioning activities, including schedules, dependencies, vendors, and implementation milestones.Development and maintenance of executive dashboards, risk registers, milestone reports, and sponsor-review materials to track project status, risks, and deliverables.PMP,CAPM, Agile, or comparable project-management certification or training.Required License(s) or Certification(s) - N/AValid NC Driver's License required - NoCommercial Driver's License required - NoRecruitment Dates and Special InstructionsJob Open Date - 09/24/2026Anticipated Close Date - 10/08/2026; if posting is still active we are accepting and reviewing applications.Special Instructions to Applicants - Please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for at least three professional references.This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.Position DetailsPosition Number - 00112347Position Type - EPS/SAAOFull Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) - 1.0Appointment - 12 Month RecurringMandatory Designation - Adverse Weather - Non Mandatory - Adverse WeatherMandatory Designation - Emergency Events - Non Mandatory - Emergency EventDepartment ID - 230101 - Interdisciplinary Programs - SVPEEO - NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the