Space systems / payloads Project manager

Description

The company is a space manufacturer, owned 67% by one partner and 33% by another, that has worked for 40+ years on telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructure.

The Spanish arm of the group works in defence, aeronautics, security, transport and space. It has a turnover of €320 million and 1,200 staff, and exports about 40% of its output, mainly to the Middle East, North Africa and Latin America.

Across 10 countries the group employs around 8,900 people, with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US.

The team is hiring a senior project manager to take complex space programmes from proposal and contract award through delivery to customer sign-off.

Projects will be space missions, space systems, or satellite payloads (telecom or optical). The role means handling several project parts at once.

You will balance customer expectations, technical requirements, cost, quality, schedule and risk, working with engineers, customers, suppliers and senior leaders in an international setting.

Strong leadership, stakeholder management and strategic thinking are needed to handle technical complexity in a specialised, fast-changing sector.

Responsibilities

• Run each project from start to finish, keeping scope, quality, schedule and budget on target.
• Build and maintain project plans, milestones, resourcing and performance indicators.
• Track progress and adjust plans quickly when problems or priorities shift.
• Serve as the main contact for the customer and handle project communications.
• Direct teams spanning engineering, procurement, manufacturing, quality and support.
• Identify, assess and manage project risks and opportunities across the lifecycle.
• Design and put in place mitigation and contingency measures to limit exposure.
• Provide governance through regular reports, reviews and executive briefings.
• Monitor contractual obligations and make sure customer requirements are met.
• Lead improvement efforts to refine delivery methods and efficiency.
• Foster teamwork, ownership and strong engagement within the project organisation.
• Support business development through proposals, tender reviews, cost estimates and bid management.
• Apply project management practice and digital tools to improve visibility and decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in engineering, project management, business administration or a related field.
• At least 5 years managing complex technical or engineering projects.
• Experience in space, aerospace, defence, telecommunications or other high-technology sectors is highly valued.
• Proven record leading cross-functional, geographically spread teams.
• Solid grasp of project management methodologies.
• Experience running customer-facing projects and contractual commitments.
• Preferred certifications: PMP (Project Management Professional) or IPMA certification.
• Communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Leadership and team development ability.
• Strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic setting.
• Risk management and problem-solving skills.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Financial awareness, including budgeting, forecasting and cost control.
• Data-driven decisions based on project performance metrics.
• Resilience and adaptability under pressure.
• Attention to detail alongside a broad project view.
• Fluent English is mandatory.
• Additional European languages are an asset.

Conditions

The role is senior and involves working with stakeholders inside and outside the business.

The work takes place in an international environment.

Benefits

• Hybrid working and flexible working hours.
• Competitive pay and benefits package.
• Free meals at the office.
• 28 business days of annual leave.
• Company pension plan.
• Individual learning and development programmes.
• Work on cutting-edge space technology and international projects.
• Collaborative, multicultural working environment.
• Career growth in a fast-changing industry.
• Mobility policy that lets employees move between home and abroad each year.