R&D Project Manager

Knog Pty Ltd; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading lighting design firm based in Melbourne is looking for an R&D Project Manager to oversee product development from concept to production. This role requires strong project management skills, the ability to interpret 3D CAD data, and effective communication across multiple departments. Candidates should have a background in product design or engineering and at least 3-5 years of relevant experience. Join a dynamic team focused on innovative products and good design.

Benefits

Collaborative team environment

Opportunity for hands-on product development

After-work social events

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-5 years of project management experience.
• Ability to manage complex product development projects.
• Proficiency in project management software essential.

Responsibilities

• Build and monitor detailed project timelines using Jira.
• Liaise with factories and engineering partners in China.
• Coordinate with various departments to communicate project status.

Skills

Project management experience

3D CAD data interpretation

Communication skills

Proficiency in Jira

Organisational skills

Education

Experience in product design or engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Adobe Illustrator

Confluence

Job description

Knog designs and manufactures innovative lighting and security products for cyclists and outdoor users. Our work has earned global recognition for its design, performance, and reliability — but at heart, we're still a small, tight-knit team based in Cremorne, Melbourne.

We like riding bikes, solving problems, and doing good work with people who know what they're doing. The studio runs on common sense, clear thinking, and a preference for action over talk. We enjoy a beer when the job's done and a bit of good humour while we're doing it. Agility matters here — being able to shift gears quickly, stay practical, and keep perspective when things get complicated.

Knog sits at the intersection of design and engineering, where creative ideas meet manufacturing reality. Projects move from concept to tooling under one roof, and collaboration between teams is constant. It's fast-moving, occasionally messy, and rarely dull — the kind of place where the best ideas come from people who care enough to push them through.

THE ROLE

The R&D Project Manager is responsible for driving product development from early concept through to production handover. You'll work closely with the Design Director, our Melbourne-based Production and Logistics teams, our Management and Sales teams and our extended Engineering partners in China to keep projects moving, coordinated, and on schedule.

This is primarily a project management role — your success will be measured by your ability to plan, communicate, and deliver — but it requires someone who understands design at a technical level. You'll need to understand and manipulate 3D CAD data, interpret design intent, and recognise good engineering solutions when you see them. You won't necessarily be designing day-to-day, but you'll need the instincts of someone who could.

With a major development cycle ahead — including next-generation updates and several new product platforms — your job is to create structure, clarity, and accountability so that our designers and engineers can focus on what they do best: designing and solving problems.

You'll make sure milestones are realistic, priorities stay aligned, and everyone knows what needs to happen next. When plans shift (and they will), you'll adjust, re-plan, and keep the team moving forward.

This role suits someone who's calm under pressure, who can spot issues before they become problems, and who's able to bring people together without adding friction.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build, maintain, and monitor detailed project timelines and milestones using Jira, ensuring tasks and dependencies are tracked and up to date.
• Liaise directly with factories and engineering partners in China to manage schedules, resolve technical issues, and maintain progress against agreed deliverables.
• Coordinate across Knog departments — including logistics, finance, Sales and marketing — to communicate project status, risks, and decisions clearly.
• Record and publish key information in Confluence, ensuring documentation is current and accessible.
• Create, review, and maintain project documentation such as BOMs, certifications, briefs, and DVP (Design Verification Plan) testing reports.
• Support testing and validation processes by ensuring data and results are correctly captured and shared with relevant teams.
• Work with the Design Director and senior engineers to evaluate design options, assess manufacturability, and balance timelines with design integrity.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of project management experience is required for this position.
• Reasonable proficiency in Jira or other Project management software is essential for effectively managing project timelines and task dependencies.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Proven ability to manage complex product development projects from concept to production.
• Able to read and interpret 3D CAD data (SolidWorks, Creo, Fusion 360, or similar).
• Confident preparing visual documentation in Adobe Illustrator and related tools.
• Proficient with project management platforms such as Jira and Confluence.
• Strong communication skills — clear, concise, and consistent across teams and suppliers.
• Organised and methodical, able to manage multiple overlapping projects without losing detail.
• Solid mechanical and technical understanding of how products are designed, assembled, and manufactured.
• Comfortable balancing structure with flexibility — able to adapt plans without losing momentum.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Background in product design, engineering, or a related development discipline.
• Experience managing full product lifecycles — from concept through to tooling and production.
• Hands‑on experience working with suppliers in China or Asia, including factory visits and sample reviews.
• Familiarity with testing, certification, and compliance processes for consumer products or electronics.
• Working knowledge of 3D CAD, including the ability to annotate or review models for manufacturing handover.

WORKING AT KNOG

We're practical people who care about good design and smart solutions. You'll be part of a team that values initiative, collaboration, and clear communication. Titles matter less than outcomes, and there's a shared respect for people who get things done properly.

We like seeing ideas become real products, we value straightforwardness, and we make room for a bit of dry humour along the way. If you can stay calm under pressure, enjoy a challenge, and don't mind the occasional after‑work drink once the dust settles, you'll fit right in.

Valid Australian work visa or authorisation is required for this position.