Bid and Project Manager

ultra; Tenby; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Private medical cover

25 days holiday (+BH) with option to 5

Pension contribution

Life assurance

Flexible working hours (1pm finish on/

Cycle to work scheme

Security clearance allowance

Job summary

Ultra Intelligence & Communications is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead end-to-end delivery of complex engineering projects and own the bid lifecycle from opportunity to contract award. The role sits in the Cyber Centre of Excellence with hybrid working options, based in Maidenhead.

You will guide cross-functional teams, ensure schedule, cost and quality objectives, and maintain strong governance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in project management within engineering/tech.
• Understanding of engineering principles and lifecycle models.
• Experience with Waterfall, Scrum, and Agile methodologies.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience with Defence sector would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end planning, execution, and delivery of complex engineering projects.
• Manage the bid lifecycle from opportunity identification to contract award.
• Review tender documents and develop bid plans and submission strategies.
• Coordinate bid kick-off meetings, governance, and progress reviews.
• Provide governance and leadership across project lifecycle and assurance gates.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, regulatory requirements and quality frameworks.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Risk management

Tools

MS Project

Jira

Job description

Company: Ultra Intelligence & Communications

Cyber (UK) Business

Powering Decision

Join the team redefining defense technology. From engineering systems that save lives to leading programs that change the battlefield-find your place in the future of defense.

Cyber Business

Our Cyber business unit is at the forefront of pioneering advanced cryptographic and key management solutions, facilitating the confidential exchange of vital information for customers operating at both tactical and strategic echelons. Join our team and participate in the innovation that ensures the highest security and trust worldwide.

Job Description

This role is based at our Cyber Centre of Excellence in Maidenhead, with hybrid working options available.

Ultra Cyber Ltd is seeking an experienced Project Manager with experience in both leading end-to-end delivery of engineering projects, and the development and governance of bids.

This pivotal role straddles being accountable for driving successful outcomes across the full project lifecycle and leading the planning, coordination, development, and submission of high-quality bids and proposals in response to customer requirements.

You will provide strong leadership and governance, guiding projects and bids through defined stage gates while ensuring schedule, cost and quality objectives are met. Working closely with technical, commercial, sales and wider business stakeholders, you will bring structure, pace, and assurance to the delivery of highly complex engineering projects.

The ideal candidate will have experience within Defence, with a proven track record of managing large-scale and technically demanding engineering projects in highly regulated structured delivery environments; and delivering NRE and production bid submissions that are compliant, compelling and meet the needs of the customer.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end planning, execution, and delivery of complex, multidisciplinary engineering projects across the full project lifecycle, from concept development through delivery and close-out.

• Manage the complete bid lifecycle from opportunity identification through submission and contract award.

• Review tender documents, Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Invitations to Tender (ITTs), and Requests for Information (RFIs).

• Develop bid plans, schedules, and submission strategies.

• Coordinate bid kick-off meetings, progress reviews and proceed through the required governance processes.

• Provide strong project leadership and direction, establishing clear governance structures and successfully managing projects through defined lifecycle and assurance gates.

• Develop, maintain, and control detailed project plans, schedules, and budgets, ensuring delivery in line with agreed scope, cost, and timescale commitments.

• Direct and coordinate cross-functional teams, including engineering, quality assurance, procurement, and external partners, to achieve project objectives.

• Partner closely with the Engineering Project Lead to ensure rigorous adherence to systems engineering processes, technical governance, and design assurance.

• Proactively manage project risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies, implementing effective mitigation strategies and ensuring timely escalation where required.

• Provide clear, concise, and accurate project reporting, communicating status, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to stakeholders and senior leadership.

• Ensure full compliance with contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, security standards, and quality frameworks throughout the project lifecycle.

Required Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

• Proven experience in project management within an engineering or technology environment.

• An awareness and understanding ofengineering principlesand lifecycle models.

• Experience with structured project management methodologies such as Waterfall, Scrum and Agile.

• Excellent stakeholder management, both internal and external, with superb communication skills.

• Experience in managing customer relationships, ideally within the Defence Sector.

• Strong leadership and team coordination capabilities.

• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira).

Desirable Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

• Formal certification in project management (e.g., APM PMQ, PRINCE2, AgilePM).

• Experience with defence, aerospace, or highly regulated industries.

• Experience delivering projects involvingsoftware, firmware and hardware integration.

• Experience managing physical production and/or product through life support.

Security Clearance:

• Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain DV security clearance.

Our Benefits

• Participation in an Annual Bonus Scheme

• Private Medical Cover

• 25 days' holiday (plus Bank Holidays) with the option to buy an extra 5 days

• Pension Contribution

• 4 x Life Assurance Cover

• Flexible working hours with opportunity for a 1pm finish on a Friday

• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme, will writing and more

• Security Clearance Allowance – where relevant and subject to you holding the required security clearance

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement

At Ultra I&C, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusivity. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be the best version of yourself. We also believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures will increase our diversity of thinking, ensuring we successfully deliver to our customers. We, therefore, do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We also support requests for flexible working arrangements wherever possible. If you have any issues with your application, please email us at [e-mail]