Grants and Contracts Administrator
PennState • United States of America, Penn State University Park,
Posted: May 12, 2026
Job Description
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
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.
POSITION SPECIFICS
We are searching for a Grants and Contracts Administrator to join our Subcontracts Office within the Business Services Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. ARL Business Services enables and facilitates the research, scholarship, and creative endeavors of ARL by providing efficient and high-quality contracting, purchasing, accounting, and related capabilities to all ARL programs.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Administer subcontracts from initiation to closeout
Prepare Requests for Proposals
Review subcontract proposals and prepare complete Cost/Price Analysis packages
Work with subcontractor to negotiate subcontract terms and conditions and prepare final agreement. Coordinate and negotiate complex and non-standard terms
Monitor agreements and track deliverables and invoices
Correspond with Subcontractors regarding performance problems to include terminations and stop work orders
Prepare and process Subcontract modifications and distribution of awards
Work with Subcontractor and complete closeout packages
Required skills/experience areas include:
Negotiation and administration of various government sponsored research agreements
Oversight of the proposal preparation process
Review and processing of agreements (both financial and non-financial)
Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation
Contract term negotiation processes
Microsoft Office skills
Success in an office environment, where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
Previous success with collaborations in a multi-disciplinary, team-oriented, culture
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
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
Eight or more years of related experience in government contracting or sponsored research, preferably in an academic setting
DoD research and development contracting on a Cost Plus Fixed Fee basis
DoD or Intel Community contracting experience
Your working location can be fully remote, dependent on skillset and location, within Central Pennsylvania. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree
3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications:
None
ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
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.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $61,800.00 - $89,600.00.**THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL**
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Additional Content
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
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.
POSITION SPECIFICS
We are searching for a Grants and Contracts Administrator to join our Subcontracts Office within the Business Services Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. ARL Business Services enables and facilitates the research, scholarship, and creative endeavors of ARL by providing efficient and high-quality contracting, purchasing, accounting, and related capabilities to all ARL programs.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Administer subcontracts from initiation to closeout
Prepare Requests for Proposals
Review subcontract proposals and prepare complete Cost/Price Analysis packages
Work with subcontractor to negotiate subcontract terms and conditions and prepare final agreement. Coordinate and negotiate complex and non-standard terms
Monitor agreements and track deliverables and invoices
Correspond with Subcontractors regarding performance problems to include terminations and stop work orders
Prepare and process Subcontract modifications and distribution of awards
Work with Subcontractor and complete closeout packages
Required skills/experience areas include:
Negotiation and administration of various government sponsored research agreements
Oversight of the proposal preparation process
Review and processing of agreements (both financial and non-financial)
Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation
Contract term negotiation processes
Microsoft Office skills
Success in an office environment, where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
Previous success with collaborations in a multi-disciplinary, team-oriented, culture
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
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
Eight or more years of related experience in government contracting or sponsored research, preferably in an academic setting
DoD research and development contracting on a Cost Plus Fixed Fee basis
DoD or Intel Community contracting experience
Your working location can be fully remote, dependent on skillset and location, within Central Pennsylvania. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree
3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications:
None
ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
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.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $61,800.00 - $89,600.00.**THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL**
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.