Senior Project Manager - Composite Armour Systems

NP Aerospace Limited; Coventry; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence innovation firm in Coventry is looking for a Senior Project Manager to lead the delivery of critical defence protection products. The successful candidate will have a background in engineering and project management, overseeing complex, high-impact projects that protect lives. This full-time role offers a competitive salary and various benefits including a discretionary bonus and flexible working options.

Benefits

Discretionary Bonus

Flexible working hours

25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays

Pension plan

Life Cover

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering large-scale, technically complex projects.
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple projects.
• Strong commercial acumen, with financial management experience.

Responsibilities

• Deliver strategic leadership and manage project delivery.
• Engage with senior technical leadership to define project scope.
• Oversee project governance structure and ensure compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Risk Management

Technical Acumen

Education

Degree in Engineering or related field

Relevant professional qualification (e.g. APM, PRINCE2, PMP)

Job description

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Job Title: Senior Project Manager - Composite Armour Systems

Job Reports To: Director of Engineering

Department: Project Management

Location: Coventry, UK

Core Hours: 08:00-16:35 (Mon - Thu) 08:00-15:10 (Fri)

Vacancy Type: Full time, Permanent and based on-site.

Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum (subject to experience) + Discretionary Bonus

JOB SUMMARY

Looking for a Senior Project Manager role where your work truly makes a difference? This could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

At NP Aerospace, we don't just deliver projects, we deliver life-saving innovation. We're seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead the successful delivery of cutting-edge defence protection products, including armour plates, ballistic shields, helmets, and bomb disposal suits.

In this role, you'll manage a portfolio of technically complex projects across our Composite and Armour Systems business, playing a vital role in protecting lives on the front line.

We're looking for someone with a strong background in engineering, manufacturing or a related technical field, and a proven track record of delivering high-impact, technically focused projects. If you're ready to take on meaningful challenges with real-world impact, we want to hear from you.

BENEFITS

• Discretionary Half Year Bonus
• Flexible start and finish working hours (subject to manager approval)
• Holidays - 25 days + 8 Bank Holidays + Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Two weeks paid leave for Reservists and Cadets to attend yearly training/camp
• Paid leave for employees who are Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs)
• Pension - ER/EE - 4%/5% = 9% combined
• Life Cover - 3 x base salary
• BHSF Cash Healthcare Plan

JOB DUTIES

The duties below are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required. A flexible approach will be required by the job holder to deal with the changing nature of the job and the demands of the customer.

• Provide strategic leadership and overall accountability for the successful delivery of all assigned programmes, ensuring completion on time, within scope, and on budget while meeting or exceeding quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Direct and align cross-functional teams, ensuring optimal allocation of resources and capabilities to meet complex technical and delivery objectives.
• Engage at a senior levelwith engineering, design, and technical leadership to shape project scope, capture requirements, and define deliverables using robust work breakdown and systems engineering methodologies.
• Set technical direction and provide oversight to ensure solutions fully meet customer specifications, contractual commitments, and applicable industry standards.
• Oversee and influence engineering and design outputs, ensuring all deliverables meet agreed performance criteria and programme milestones.
• Drive and authorise engineering change control, directing modifications to support evolving project and customer needs.
• Lead the full product lifecycle, from bid and initiation through design, development, verification, production, and in-service support.
• Champion root cause analysis and resolution of technical, production, and in-service issues, ensuring sustainable corrective actions are implemented.
• Work in close partnership with Production and Quality leadership to maintain product integrity and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure alignment of workstream leads to project objectives, responsibilities, and key timelines through proactive leadership and governance.
• Deliver high-quality, accurate, and timely reporting to senior management and external stakeholders, providing clear insight into progress, risks, and opportunities.
• Act as the senior customer interface, building long-term relationships, managing expectations, and ensuring satisfaction throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Establish and maintain project governance structures, including Project Management Plans, ensuring compliance with corporate and contractual requirements.
• Identify, evaluate, and manage programme risks and opportunities, implementing proactive mitigation or exploitation strategies.
• Lead bid and proposal activities at a senior level, shaping winning strategies and value propositions in collaboration with business development and bid management teams.
• Own and control project budgets, providing accurate financial forecasts, variance analysis, and visibility of risk and opportunity to the executive team.

EXPERIENCE

• Proven track record delivering large-scale, technically complex projects or programmes in defence, aerospace, engineering, or other highly regulated sectors.
• Demonstrable experience in leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple concurrent projects through the full lifecycle - from bid to in-service support.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience owning multi-million-pound budgets, managing project P&L, and delivering against financial targets.
• Skilled in stakeholder management at senior/executive levels, both internally and with customers, suppliers, and partners.
• Solid understanding of engineering/manufacturing processes, with the ability to challenge and guide technical teams to meet specifications and standards.
• Proficient in risk and opportunity management, with a track record of proactive mitigation and capitalisation.
• Familiarity with defence standards, quality systems, and regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., ISO, AQAP, DEF STAN) is highly desirable.
• Relevant professional qualification (e.g., APM, PRINCE2, PMP) and/or degree in engineering, manufacturing, or related technical discipline.

WHAT DO WE DO AT NP AEROSPACE?

NP Aerospace is a global leader in armour technology manufacturing and vehicle integration, delivering high-performance, lifesaving solutions for the defence and security industry.

Our mission is to improve and protect lives, and our vision is to be a leading provider of innovative solutions that solve our customers' complex challenges. Our values - Respect, Collaboration, Integrity, and Dedication form the bedrock of our culture.

Our extensive range of combat-proven body armour, from ballistic helmets, plates, and shields to bomb disposal suits, highlights some of the most advanced composite materials. With a team of R&D engineers working on next-generation solutions, we also excel in highly engineered vehicle systems and armour platforms used by some of the world's largest defence organisations.

Founded in 1926, NP Aerospace has served the defence industry for over 40 years, evolving into an agile and diverse company. Our Business Development team is expanding both in the UK and North America.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: NP Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, colour, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We are also fully committed to supporting the Defence Community and actively advertise roles on Defence specific platforms such as CTP, Force Families, Forces Employment Charity, and Veterans Job Board.

Data Privacy: NP Aerospace respects the privacy of all applicants. Personal information provided during the application process will be treated in accordance with our privacy policy and applicable data protection laws.

Please note: If successful, you will be required to sign the Official Secrets Act and successfully pass the necessary checks before you can begin your employment with NP Aerospace.