Project Manager Optical Communications

Archangel Lightworks Ltd; Oxford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Professional development

Social events

25 days annual leave

Flexible / home working

Job summary

Archangel Lightworks in Oxford is hiring Project Managers to oversee internal and external projects across optical communication domains, from advancing the TERRA-M R&D to planning international test campaigns. You will work with the Programme Manager and Engineering Manager to ensure delivery on time, within scope and within budget.

The role requires demonstrable full-lifecycle hardware/software development experience in an R&D heavy environment, strong stakeholder management, and a PM

Qualifications

• Must have end-to-end project delivery experience in hardware and/or software within an R&D environment.
• Experience managing projects for external customers or partners including budgeting and forecasting.
• Knowledge of stage-gate development processes and governance.
• PM qualification or equivalent apprenticeship plus relevant industry experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned product developments and projects to scope, timeline and budget.
• Collaborate with engineering to translate requirements into clear plans.
• Work with Technical Leads to align Development Plans with backlogs and controls.
• Identify and manage project risks, interdependencies and timelines.
• Monitor and control project finances and forecasts; input into programme financials.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders including suppliers and customers.
• Coordinate with PM team to maintain alignment across the portfolio.
• Participate in documentation reviews and change control processes.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Budget management

R&D experience

Agile / stage-gate

Contractual negotiation

Education

Project management qualification

Job description

About Archangel Lightworks

Archangel Lightworks is a laser communications company building wireless technology. Founded in 2017, we believe that laser communications to and from satellites is a key component of next-generation infrastructure. Our core product, the TERRA-M, is a deployable optical ground station with proven capability for space – ground data transfer.

Our team develops and operates products that advance the security and resilience of critical national infrastructure. We value compassion, resilience, curiosity, ownership and integrity. Our start-up is a fast-paced and supportive environment, where you can contribute to novel technology with meaningful applications like reducing the Digital Divide.

Archangel Lightworks recently closed over £10 million of investment in an oversubscribed Series A funding round. Our company is also supported by the UK Space Agency, the UK’s Department of Science and Technology (DSIT) and the UK Ministry of Defence.

About the job

We are hiring Project Managers to work across several of our optical communication domains. You will oversee internal and external projects, ranging from furthering the R&D activities of our flagship Optical Ground Station, TERRA-M, which will revolutionize space-to-ground communications with lasercom technology, to planning international test campaigns. Your work will directly contribute to the successful delivery of projects that bring cutting‑edge laser communication technologies to market, helping to revolutionize global connectivity. You will work closely with the Programme Manager and Engineering Manager to ensure the successful execution of our development portfolio on time, within scope, and within budget.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Manage assigned product developments and associated projects to the specified scope, timeline, and budget. This includes supporting and collaborating with the growing PM and Engineering teams to ensure successful delivery. At Archangel Lightworks we succeed together, so collaboration and teamwork are critical to the role.
• Collaborate with the engineering team to translate technical requirements and work areas into clear project scopes and plans.
• Work closely with Technical Leads to ensure that Product Development Plans remain aligned with the backlog of technical tasks; and provide accurate inputs into Programme and Portfolio level controls.
• Proactively identify and manage project risks, interdependencies, and their impact on timelines and cross-functional work streams.
• Monitor and control project finances and forecasts; and provide inputs into Programme and Company level financial tracking. This includes proactive identification of forecast issues for mitigation, and ownership of forecast accuracy.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers and customers.
• Work collaboratively with the PM team to ensure alignment across the development portfolio.
• Coordinate and participate in formal documentation review and change control processes.

Requirements:

• Demonstrable full‑lifecycle product development experience in Hardware and/or Software within an R&D-heavy organisation, preferably deep tech or space sector.
• Familiarity with stage‑gate development processes and product development cycles, from R&D through to production handover.
• Stakeholder management of commercial and quasi‑governmental organisations e.g. Innovate UK, UKSA, ESA; both as suppliers and customers.
• Experience with control of project finances – from development forecasts to claim & audit processes with public funding bodies.
• Qualification/accreditation in project management. Equivalent extensive and relevant project management experience; or completion of a recognized project management apprenticeship supplemented by relevant industry experience will also be considered.

Desirable additional skills – One or more will be highly beneficial, in addition to the above minimum criteria:

• Experience within a start-up/scale‑up environment, including managing resource and project priorities in a constrained environment.
• Domain knowledge in ground segment, satellite systems, laser communication technology, or optical systems. While you don’t need to be a subject matter expert, an understanding of these areas is highly beneficial due to the technical nature of our work.
• Knowledge of the deployment of ground station and network operations within the Space Communications sector.
• Experience with the development of communication systems on maritime and drone‑based platforms, preferable optical.
• Experience working in an engineering agile environment is highly beneficial. We operate following Agile processes on daily‑to‑weekly basis, underpinned by long term waterfall plans.
• Experience with contractual negotiation, particularly multi‑party legal and IP agreements.

Location:

Our office is based in Osney Mead, Oxford. There may be opportunity to work from home as agreed with your line manager. There may be opportunity for periodic business travel.

What we offer:

• Opportunity to work on advanced optical systems to support a world‑changing vision
• A collaborative and transparent culture with strong links between functions
• Regular socials and weekly company lunch
• Professional development and skills growth within a specialist engineering field
• Competitive salary and benefits package, with equity options in a growing start‑up
• 25 days annual leave allowance plus bank holidays

Archangel Lightworks is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. If you need any assistance or accommodation to complete your application or assessment, please contact us through the application form.

We recognise that many candidates us AI tools when applying. Please ensure your application reflects your own experience, skills, and thinking. We assess applications based on authenticity and accuracy, so anything generated with AI should be reviewed, personalised, and representative of you.