Senior Technical Project Manager – R&D & Industrialization

Optimus Search; West-Vlaanderen; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimus Search Limited in Belgium is seeking a Senior Technical Project Manager to lead complex, multidisciplinary engineering projects from concept through industrial rollout. You will manage planning, budgets, milestones and risks, coordinate mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams, and ensure on-time delivery with quality standards.

A background in R&D, product development, industrialization or NPI is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of project management experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience managing complex engineering projects involving R&D, product development, industrialization, or NPI.
• Experience in machine building, OEM equipment, industrial automation, capital goods, or advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Strong understanding of engineering processes and manufacturing operations.
• Excellent project planning, budgeting, risk management, and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Ability to lead and influence multidisciplinary teams in an international environment.
• PMP, PRINCE2, or IPMA certification is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, cross-functional technical projects from initiation to completion.
• Manage project planning, budgets, resources, timelines, milestones, and risks.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and according to quality standards.
• Monitor project KPIs and provide progress updates to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional work

Stakeholder coordination

Budgeting

Risk management

Multidisciplinary leadership

International environment

Analytical approach

Education

Engineering degree (Mechanical / Electromechanical / Industrial / Manufacturing / Automation)

Job description

We are looking for a Senior Technical Project Manager to join an innovative, internationally operating technology company specialising in advanced industrial equipment and manufacturing solutions.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead complex, multidisciplinary projects, bringing new technologies and products from initial development through to successful industrial implementation.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

As Senior Technical Project Manager, you will play a key role in delivering strategic engineering and industrial projects.

Project Leadership & Management

• Lead complex, cross-functional technical projects from initiation to completion.


• Manage project planning, budgets, resources, timelines, milestones, and risks.


• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and according to quality standards.


• Monitor project KPIs and provide progress updates to senior stakeholders.

R&D & Product Development

• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams across mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing disciplines.


• Drive product development initiatives from concept to industrial readiness.


• Ensure effective collaboration between R&D, Product Management, Quality, Manufacturing, and Purchasing.


• Balance technical, commercial, and operational priorities throughout the project lifecycle.

Industrialization & New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Lead the transition of new products and technologies into manufacturing.


• Coordinate design transfer, manufacturing readiness, process validation, and pilot production.


• Oversee production ramp-up activities while ensuring quality, cost, and delivery objectives.


• Identify opportunities to optimise industrial processes and improve operational efficiency.

Continuous Improvement & Stakeholder Management

• Drive operational improvement initiatives across multidisciplinary teams.


• Establish effective project governance, including phase-gate processes, reporting, and risk management.


• Act as the key point of contact between engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and management.


• Promote collaboration, continuous improvement, and project management best practices.

YOUR PROFILE

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Electromechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline.


• Minimum 8 years of project management experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.


• Proven experience managing complex engineering projects involving R&D, product development, industrialization, or NPI.


• Experience in machine building, OEM equipment, industrial automation, capital goods, or advanced manufacturing technologies.


• Strong understanding of engineering processes and manufacturing operations.


• Excellent project planning, budgeting, risk management, and stakeholder coordination skills.


• Ability to lead and influence multidisciplinary teams in an international environment.


• Structured, analytical, pragmatic, and results-driven approach.


• PMP, PRINCE2, or IPMA certification is an advantage.

WHY CONSIDER THIS OPPORTUNITY?

• Lead strategic projects involving advanced industrial technologies.


• Play a central role in product innovation and industrialization.


• Collaborate with experienced, multidisciplinary international teams.


• Take ownership of technically challenging, business-critical initiatives.


• Contribute directly to operational excellence and continuous improvement.


• Develop your career in a dynamic, innovation-focused engineering environment.