Hydrodynamics Project Manager

AWE; Aldermaston; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK defense contractor seeks a Project Manager to lead hydrodynamic trials projects. The role involves delivering projects within constraints and developing high-performing teams. Candidates should have experience in regulated industries and demonstrate effective leadership. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a significant program of work, with flexible working arrangements and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

9-day working fortnight

Market-leading contributory pension scheme

Family friendly policies

Professional Career Development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance

Discounts on everyday spending

Special Leave Policy

Qualifications

• Experience within a project environment in a highly regulated industry.
• Demonstrable leadership skills and ability to build high-performing teams.
• Experience with budgeting and project requirements setting.

Responsibilities

• Deliver projects according to operational constraints, time, cost, and quality.
• Lead a team to meet operational plans safely and securely.
• Promote high personal standards in safety, health, and quality.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Team development

Risk management

Change management

Job description

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking. Due to classification of activities, this role will require the candidate to work onsite at least 90% of the time.

Package: Starting at £48,030 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience).

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application. Hybrid working is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis.

Let us introduce the role:

Are you a dynamic and adaptable Project Manager looking for a new challenge? We are looking for you to join us and contribute towards the success of our Hydrodynamic trials projects. AWE has several world‑class facilities dedicated to hydrodynamics research – hydrodynamic experiments represent the most comprehensive and complex tests of our integrated capabilities and provide confidence in the design, safety and performance of the warheads. This is a fantastic opportunity to join us as we embark on a once in a generation programme of work.

As a Project Manager your role will entail:

• Deliver assigned projects in accordance with requirements, operational constraints, time, cost, and quality.
• Lead, coach and develop a team at a local level to deliver team and personal objectives safely and securely to meet our operational plans.
• Maintain and promote high personal standards in environment, safety, health, security, and quality, and being a great team player.

Who are we looking for?

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point below, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we’d like you to have experience in some of the following:

• Experience working within a project environment in a similar highly regulated industry.
• Demonstrable leadership and the ability to build strong focused and high‑performing teams.
• Experience of project management tools and techniques for budgeting, change management and project requirements setting.
• A proven record to drive project schedules forward, working cooperatively with teams who have a broad range of skills.
• Proven risk techniques to manage project risks and interdependencies with efficient mitigation and contingency plans.
• Experience to manage projects through a lifecycle and the associated governance, including stage gate approvals.

You’ll need to have the ability to work calmly and constructively in a priority‑changing environment and be able to manage your own workload. You will also have initiative, enthusiasm, a flexible approach, and ability to work to tight deadlines.

Some reasons we think you’ll love it here:

AWE has a wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 9‑day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market‑leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave – 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave – 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

Important things you need to know:

• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please feel free to reach out for more information via: