Project Manager - Explosives Research & Development

AWE; Aldermaston; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading science and engineering organization in the UK is seeking an experienced Project Manager to support critical projects in explosives research and development. This role involves leading a matrix team to deliver projects while ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Responsibilities include managing project deliverables, developing team capabilities, and maintaining high personal standards. The position offers a hybrid working model and competitive salary starting from £48,030, alongside extensive benefits including generous annual leave and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

270 hours of annual leave

Professional career development funding

Market leading pension scheme

Employee assistance program

Qualifications

• Experience in regulated industry or science/engineering project management.
• Prior experience with explosives ordinance preferred.
• Demonstrable leadership abilities and teamwork skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload in a high-pressure environment.
• Willingness to adapt and be hands-on in a growing company.

Responsibilities

• Deliver projects within time, cost, and quality limits.
• Coach and develop team members to meet objectives.
• Maintain high standards in safety and quality.

Skills

Project Management

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Risk Management

Education

Project Management practitioner qualification

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

Position Overview

We are looking for an experienced and adaptable Project Manager to support a science and engineering focused project. In this role you will be supporting the expanding research and development in explosives within AWE and across the UK supply chain. You will be working within a matrix team to ensure project success thus enabling AWE's critical mission.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Location

This role is based at Aldermaston, RG7 4PR. We are located in the Berkshire countryside between Reading and Basingstoke. This role is suitable for hybrid working.

Salary

From £48,030 depending on experience and suitability.

Benefits

• Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (including bank holidays, plus every other Friday off!).
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, and access to mentors & training.
• Employee assistance programme and occupational health services.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme.
• AWE life assurance.
• Discounts & salary sacrifice scheme - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Relocation package available (terms and conditions apply).

Qualifications

• Experience working within a similarly highly regulated industry or in a science/engineering Project Manager role would be beneficial.
• Prior experience working with explosives ordinance would be advantageous.
• Project Management practitioner qualification or equivalent experience would be beneficial.
• Positive communicator and able to motivate stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrable leadership and the ability to build strong focused teams.
• Ability to effectively prioritise workload, resources, and deadlines within high pressure complex environments.
• Skills to create and update all project documentation, including project management plans and supporting risks, assumptions, actions, issues & dependencies.
• Experience of project management tools and techniques for budgeting, change management and project goal setting.
• A proven record to drive project deliverables forward, working cooperatively with teams who have a broad range of skills.
• Knowledge of methods to track project deliverables including implementing key performance indicators and producing project progress reports.
• 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.
• Ability to solve problems and deliver results through creative solutions and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Desire for continuous improvement through evaluation of both successes and failures.
• Positive attitude and willingness to be hands‑on in a fast‑paced, growing company.

There will be the opportunity for business travel with this role, approximately up to 6 trips per year within the UK (this is subject to change as per business need).

This job role is suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station) and working from home as a personal choice. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. It can take several months for clearance to come through.