Project Manager – Aviation / Advanced Engineering

DCS Recruitment; England; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

DCS Recruitment is supporting a Bournemouth-based defence and aviation business to appoint an experienced Project Manager. You will oversee multiple complex projects and work packages, ensuring scope, quality, schedule and budget objectives are met across airborne mission systems, electronic warfare, and UAS domains.

The role requires strong planning, risk, and stakeholder management, with governance and PMO reporting responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Proven PM experience in defence, aerospace, aviation, engineering or technology environments.
• Experience managing multiple projects or work packages simultaneously.
• Strong project planning, scheduling and organisational skills.
• Experience managing project risks, issues, budgets and change controls.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects and work packages from planning through to delivery.
• Deliver projects against agreed scope, quality, programme and budget requirements.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, forecasts and resource requirements.
• Lead, coordinate and engage project teams and stakeholders.
• Identify, manage and mitigate project risks, issues, opportunities and changes.
• Maintain effective communication with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor and report project progress, performance and variances.
• Ensure project deliverables are completed to the required technical and quality standards.
• Support PMO reporting, governance and continuous improvement activities.
• Contribute to wider business transformation, change programmes and operational improvements.

Skills

Project planning

Stakeholder management

Communication

Risk management

Leadership

Agile

Education

APM/PRINCE2/Agile or equivalent qualification

Engineering/Physical sciences related degree

Tools

Microsoft Project / Project Web App

Power BI

Microsoft 365

Job description

Project Manager - 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 to appoint an experienced Project Manager to join their programmes team, taking responsibility for the delivery of multiple projects and work packages across a technically complex stakeholder environment.

The role will involve managing projects from planning through to delivery, ensuring agreed scope, quality, schedule and budget objectives are achieved. Projects can involve airborne mission systems, Electronic Warfare technologies and Uncrewed Air Systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects and work packages from planning through to delivery
• Deliver projects against agreed scope, quality, programme and budget requirements
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, forecasts and resource requirements
• Lead, coordinate and engage project teams and stakeholders
• Identify, manage and mitigate project risks, issues, opportunities and changes
• Maintain effective communication with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships throughout the project lifecycle
• Monitor and report project progress, performance and variances
• Ensure project deliverables are completed to the required technical and quality standards
• Support PMO reporting, governance and continuous improvement activities
• Contribute to wider business transformation, change programmes and operational improvements

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience as a Project Manager within defence, aerospace, aviation, engineering or technology environments
• Experience managing multiple projects or work packages simultaneously
• Strong project planning, scheduling and organisational skills
• Experience managing project risks, issues, budgets and change controls
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage technical teams, senior stakeholders and customers
• Experience leading and coordinating multidisciplinary project teams
• Experience producing project reports, metrics and performance updates
• Comfortable working within structured project management frameworks and governance processes
• Proficient in Microsoft Project / Project Web App
• Experience with Power BI reporting and administration
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be an organised and proactive Project Manager with experience delivering complex technical projects within a structured and stakeholder-focused environment.

You will be comfortable managing multiple workstreams, coordinating technical teams and suppliers, and maintaining control of project scope, programme, risk, budget and delivery.

Experience within defence, aerospace, aviation or other highly regulated technical environments would be beneficial, particularly exposure to Electronic Warfare, airborne mission systems or Uncrewed Air Systems.

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

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to work on complex defence and aviation technology projects
• Exposure to Electronic Warfare, airborne mission systems and Uncrewed Air Systems
• Responsibility for multiple projects and technical work packages
• Work within a technically demanding and highly regulated environment
• Opportunity to contribute to wider business transformation and operational improvement
• Permanent position with opportunities for professional development

DCS Recruitment and all associated companies are committed to creating a working environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone is treated fairly, regardless of gender, gender identity, disability, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or transgender status, age, or nationality