Senior Project Manager

Description

The Future Combat Air team at the company UK works on technologies and concepts behind 6th generation combat air capabilities for the Global Combat Air Programme, the Future Combat Air System and other national and international initiatives.

The role is a Project Manager position in the Integrated Demonstrations Integrated Project Team, part of the FCAS sector's Future Combat Air work, based at the Luton site.

The team builds the Flight Test Aircraft and the infrastructure that lets early products be tested and evaluated quickly, supporting future 6th generation technologies in the UK and abroad.

The FCAS sector is building a broad set of technology demonstrators for GCAP and wider FCAS, which will expand what the products can do.

The company organises work in IPTs, where project management, engineering, commercial, procurement and other specialists work together to win business, deliver contracts and develop and maintain products.

Responsibilities

• Support the Programme Manager with project management and help keep engineering, business functions and customer stakeholders aligned.
• Push the IPT's performance, focusing on keeping to schedule, managing risk and delivering milestones.
• Play a central part in winning the next programme phases.
• Set the standard for project management, including tight financial control, risk management, governance and performance reporting.
• Find and deliver improvements that make work more efficient, more resilient and better for the customer.

Requirements

• You will need a collaborative approach and a track record of delivering on complex defence programmes.
• Demonstrated project management experience in complex engineering, aerospace or defence settings.
• A proven record of leading and influencing cross-functional teams and coordinating several stakeholders and organisations.
• Strong planning and execution, backed by data-led decisions and performance management.
• Experience managing customer relationships and meeting contractual and operational commitments.
• Knowledge of Defensive Aids Systems and platform-level maintenance is an advantage but not required.
• The list is not exhaustive, and applications are welcome even if you do not meet every requirement. A proactive attitude, strong leadership and a willingness to learn matter most.

Conditions

Permanent contract, hybrid working, based at Luton (Capability Green 300).

Flexible hours are available. Part-time work may be possible, so ask about it for this role.

Pay sits within a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The advertised range is the approved grade band or a narrower hiring range within it, benchmarked against the external market. Offers above the standard range go through governance controls to protect internal equity.

The company is an equal opportunities employer and will make reasonable adjustments on request during recruitment.

Benefits

• Up to 12 additional flexi-days of leave each year.
• A company-funded pension with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Free access to mental health support, financial advice and employee networks covering inclusion and diversity.
• Bonus scheme open to employees at management level and below.
• Free access to over 4,000 online courses through Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• A financial reward for referring a friend.
• Up to £500 a year in flexible benefits, including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech and lifestyle discounts and gym memberships.
• The company offers a broader benefits list on request.