Job Description

Project Engineering Manager

Initial 6 month contract (Inside IR35) – Harlow based (hybrid) - SC Eligibility required

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced, hands-on Programme Engineering Manager to lead the delivery of complex engineering programmes from development through to qualification and production.

This is a key role responsible for ensuring engineering deliverables are achieved on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. You will plan, coordinate, track, and report on multidisciplinary engineering activities, while driving effective problem-solving and supporting successful programme execution.

Acting in a Technical Project Manager capacity, you will sit within the Engineering team, providing leadership, coordination, and a clear engineering interface to the wider programme.

Skills and Experience

* Proven experience leading and managing complex electronic product development, qualification, and certification programmes to demanding customer and industry requirements.

* Quick to learn and adapt, with the ability to become effective rapidly and deliver value from the outset.

* Experience supporting the transition of products into manufacturing and providing ongoing manufacturing support.

* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders across business and industry.

* Strong engineering leadership background, with a proven ability to deliver results through multidisciplinary teams in a matrix environment and apply a structured approach to problem-solving.

* Highly reliable, self-motivated, resilient, and focused on achieving successful outcomes.

Responsibilities

* Plan and manage Engineering work packages, applying your experience of product development programmes to build effective schedules, challenge assumptions and estimates, optimise resource allocation, and maintain plans within Microsoft Project.

* Create and apply visual management tools to prioritise, monitor, and drive daily and weekly programme execution, translating work packages from the Integrated Master Schedule into clear, actionable activities.

* Provide regular progress updates and status reporting to Programme and Business leadership teams.

* Enable Engineers to successfully deliver their objectives by facilitating collaboration and acting as a key interface with other programme functions.

* Work closely with the Programme Design Authority and Chief Engineer to maintain the technical integrity and quality of engineering outputs.

* Lead the management of Engineering risks and changes, ensuring effective identification, monitoring, mitigation, and control.

* Take a hands-on approach to technical problem-solving across development and manufacturing activities, driving robust corrective and preventive actions to resolve issues and minimise recurrence.

* Inspire, support, and develop Engineering team members, setting clear expectations around delivery, accountability, and execution excellence.

* Mentor and develop engineers in technical leadership roles, including Technical Leads and Integrated Product Team (IPT) Leaders