Project Manager

DCS Engineering; England; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

DCS Engineering in Bournemouth is seeking an experienced Project Manager with aviation engineering or aircraft technology background to lead multiple complex programmes in aviation and defence.

You will coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams, customers and suppliers to deliver projects on scope, schedule, quality and budget, learn new systems quickly and challenge assumptions to keep progress on track.

Qualifications

• Experience in aviation engineering or aviation technology is essential.
• Delivery experience in aviation or aerospace environments.
• Understanding of aircraft systems, modifications and integration.
• Experience coordinating technical teams, suppliers and customers.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Strong planning, scheduling, risk, budget and change management.
• Confident communicator who can influence stakeholders and drive actions.
• Able to learn new systems quickly.
• Experience producing project reports and delivery forecasts.
• Proficient in MS Project / Project Web App and Microsoft 365.
• Experience with Power BI reporting.
• Formal PM qualification (APM/PRINCE2/Agile) advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects and work packages from planning through delivery.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, forecasts and resources.
• Deliver projects against scope, quality, programme and budget.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams, customers and suppliers.
• Identify, manage and challenge risks, issues, dependencies and changes.
• Monitor progress and take corrective actions where required.
• Maintain strong customer relationships and communicate status and decisions clearly.
• Ensure deliverables meet technical, quality and programme standards.
• Support governance, reporting and continuous improvement activities.
• Learn new technical systems quickly and apply to project delivery.
• Proactively challenge delays and escalate when necessary.

Skills

Aviation engineering

Aviation technology

Project management

Stakeholder coordination

Risk management

Budget management

Communication skills

Learning agility

MS Project

Power BI reporting

Education

APM / PRINCE2 / Agile certification

Engineering / Aviation / Aerospace qualification

Tools

Microsoft Project

Project Web App

Microsoft 365

Power BI

Job description

Project Manager – Aviation & Defence

Location: Bournemouth

The Opportunity

We are supporting an established defence and aviation business delivering complex technical projects across advanced aerospace and defence environments.

They are looking for an experienced Project Manager with an aviation engineering and/or aircraft technology background to join their programmes team. You will be responsible for delivering multiple projects and work packages, coordinating technical teams and stakeholders, and ensuring projects meet their agreed scope, schedule, quality and budget requirements.

The role requires someone who understands technical delivery in an aviation environment, can learn new systems and technologies quickly, and has the confidence to challenge, influence and drive progress.

Projects may involve aircraft systems and modifications, airborne mission systems, Electronic Warfare technologies and Uncrewed Air Systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects and work packages from planning through to delivery.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, forecasts and resource requirements.
• Deliver projects against agreed scope, quality, programme and budget requirements.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering and technical teams, customers and suppliers.
• Identify, manage and challenge risks, issues, dependencies and changes to keep delivery on track.
• Monitor project progress, performance and variances, taking action where required.
• Maintain strong customer relationships and communicate project status, risks and decisions clearly.
• Ensure deliverables meet the required technical, quality and programme standards.
• Support project governance, reporting and continuous improvement activities.
• Proactively challenge delays, assumptions and delivery issues, escalating where necessary.
• Learn new technical systems and requirements quickly and apply this understanding to project delivery.

What We're Looking For

• Experience in aviation engineering and/or aviation technology is essential.
• Proven project management or project delivery experience within aviation, aerospace or a closely related technical environment.
• Understanding of aircraft systems, aircraft modifications, equipment installation, systems integration or aircraft embodiment.
• Experience coordinating technical teams, engineering activities, suppliers and customer requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple projects or work packages simultaneously.
• Strong project planning, scheduling, risk management, budget control and change management skills.
• Confident communicator who can challenge constructively, influence stakeholders and drive actions through to completion.
• Able to learn new systems and technical requirements quickly.
• Experience producing project reports, performance updates and delivery forecasts.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project / Project Web App and Microsoft 365.
• Experience with Power BI reporting and administration.

A formal project management qualification, such as APM, PRINCE2 or Agile, would be advantageous, alongside an engineering, aviation, aerospace or related technical qualification.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will combine strong project management capability with a practical understanding of aviation engineering or technology delivery. They will be comfortable working with technical specialists, questioning assumptions, resolving delivery challenges and maintaining control of scope, schedule, cost, risk and quality.

Experience with aircraft embodiment, aircraft modifications, avionics, systems integration, airborne mission systems, Electronic Warfare or Uncrewed Air Systems would be particularly relevant.

We are looking for someone who can take ownership, adapt quickly to unfamiliar technologies and confidently drive projects forward in a technically demanding environment.

What's on Offer

• Permanent position based in Bournemouth.
• Opportunity to deliver complex aviation and defence technology projects.
• Exposure to aircraft systems, airborne mission systems, Electronic Warfare and Uncrewed Air Systems.
• Responsibility for multiple projects and technical work packages.
• Opportunity to develop within a technically demanding and highly regulated environment.