Lighting Project Manager

Apex Recruitment - Leamington Spa; Crewe; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive engineering firm is looking for a skilled Lighting Project Manager. The role involves managing complex lighting programmes from concept to launch, ensuring effective project execution and supplier performance in a hybrid working environment. This high-impact position offers opportunities for frequent travel and collaboration across departments.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Lighting Project Manager or equivalent role within automotive or Tier 1 environments.
• Deep knowledge of automotive lighting systems, project planning, and engineering development processes.

Responsibilities

• Own the delivery of lighting programmes, ensuring project milestones and budgets are achieved.
• Manage lighting system release schedules and coordinate integration into vehicle development timelines.
• Report on programme health, risks, and mitigation strategies.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Problem Solving

Technical Knowledge

Job description

Lighting Project Manager
Location: Crewe (Hybrid – onsite when required; some weeks may require full 5-day presence)
Contract Duration: Until 23rd December 2025 (Potential extension)
Hours: 35 per week
IR35 Status: Outside IR35
Travel: Frequent UK and international travel required
Driving Licence: Full UK licence required

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Lighting Project Manager to join a leading automotive engineering environment, managing complex lighting programmes from concept through to launch. You will be the key interface between engineering, programme leadership, and external suppliers, owning the end-to-end delivery of lighting systems within a fast-paced, global project structure.

You will lead project governance, milestone tracking, release planning, and conflict resolution, while ensuring cross-functional alignment with engineering, finance, and purchasing teams. Your role will be critical in managing outsourced supplier performance and integrating lighting solutions into vehicle platforms on time, on budget, and to specification.

This role suits a technically capable, delivery-focused Lighting Project Manager who can work independently, influence stakeholders, and ensure structured project execution across distributed teams.

Key Responsibilities of the Lighting Project Manager:

• Own the delivery of one or more lighting programmes, ensuring all project milestones, budgets, and deliverables are achieved.
• Act as the central project interface across engineering functions, outsourced suppliers, and programme stakeholders.
• Manage lighting system release schedules and coordinate their integration into the wider vehicle development timeline.
• Ensure suppliers follow internal processes, meet technical specifications, and deliver test plans, timing plans, and homologation documentation to required standards.
• Report on programme health, risks, and mitigation strategies to leadership and technical governance forums.
• Lead conflict resolution efforts between cross-functional teams and third parties, escalating when necessary.
• Support project budget planning and manage scope changes with SET leads and functional management.

Skills & Experience Required:

• Proven experience in a Lighting Project Manager or equivalent role within automotive or Tier 1 environments.
• Deep knowledge of automotive lighting systems, project planning, and engineering development processes.
• Experience managing suppliers and outsourced partners across engineering and validation activities.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to guide teams through technical and delivery issues.
• Skilled in stakeholder management, meeting facilitation, and presenting programme updates at senior level.
• Proficient in interpreting engineering documentation, tracking releases, and aligning technical content with programme milestones.
• Willing and able to travel both within the UK and internationally as required.

Technical Knowledge:

• Solid understanding of engineering and project management principles applied to vehicle system development.
• Strong background in requirements management, validation planning (V&V), and milestone delivery.
• Familiarity with automotive release systems and internal governance frameworks.

This contract presents a high-impact opportunity for a capable and independent Lighting Project Manager to take ownership of critical automotive lighting programmes. If you're a Lighting Project Manager who thrives on delivery, technical complexity, and cross-functional leadership, we encourage you to apply.