Project Manager I5

ideaForge; Navi Mumbai; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

ideaForge is seeking an Assistant Project Manager to lead UAV product development programs from M0 to M5. You will own work packages, drive schedules, manage risks, and coordinate across Engineering, ProtoLab, V&V, Supply Chain and Production to meet QCT targets.

The role deputises for the Project Manager and may handle smaller category projects under PMO guidance, ensuring compliance with AS9100/QMS standards and change control processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering; PG in Project/Operations Management is a plus.
• 5+ years in project management/execution in engineering product development (UAV/aerospace/defence preferred).
• Knowledge of stage-gate development, prototype build and V&V; regulatory certification exposure is desirable.
• Proficiency with Zoho Projects, MS Project/Jira and MS Office; CAPM/PMP/CSM desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plan and maintain detailed schedules, WBS, and dependency maps.
• Coordinate day-to-day execution with Engineering, ProtoLab, V&V and Production teams.
• Manage build readiness and BOM/material availability with Supply Chain and Quality.
• Plan and track V&V tests, flight trials and customer demos; log and close issues.
• Track certification deliverables (DGCA, Blue UAS, FCC) against plan.
• Maintain RAID log; prepare weekly sprint inputs and status reports.

Skills

Scheduling

CPM

Earned Value

Risk Management

Change Control

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

PG qualification in Project / Operations Management

Tools

Zoho Projects

MS Project

Jira

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Role Overview

The Assistant Project Manager manages the delivering UAV product development projects through the end-to-end project lifecycle (M0 to M5). The role takes delegated ownership of defined work packages or sub-tracks – such as prototype builds, V&V test campaigns, certification tracks, variant / feature developments or Change implementation – and manages them to agreed Quality, Cost and Timeline (QCT) targets. The Assistant Project Manager deputises for the Project Manager when required and may independently manage smaller Category projects under PMO guidance.

Role Overview

The Assistant Project Manager manages the delivering UAV product development projects through the end-to-end project lifecycle (M0 to M5). The role takes delegated ownership of defined work packages or sub-tracks – such as prototype builds, V&V test campaigns, certification tracks, variant / feature developments or Change implementation – and manages them to agreed Quality, Cost and Timeline (QCT) targets. The Assistant Project Manager deputises for the Project Manager when required and may independently manage smaller Category projects under PMO guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Work Package Planning & Execution:


• Build and maintain detailed schedules, Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and dependency maps for assigned work packages in Zoho Projects & Sprints, aligned to the project’s M0–M5 milestone roadmap.


• Drive day-to-day execution with Engineering (Mechanical, Electronics, Software, System Integration), ProtoLab, V&V and Production teams; plan and track 2-week sprint objectives for the assigned scope.


• Coordinate Pre-Mule, Mule, Prototype and Pilot build readiness – BoM and material availability, test articles and build schedules – with Supply Chain, Quality and Industrialization.


• Plan and track V&V test campaigns, flight trials and customer demonstrations for the assigned scope, ensuring issues are logged in the issue register and closed with owners and target dates.


• Certification, Quality & Change Support:


• Track certification deliverables for the assigned scope – e.g., DGCA Type Certification test plans, lab reports and D1 submission inputs; Blue UAS / FCC compliance where applicable – against plan.


• Ensure work package deliverables meet delivery milestone requirements and AS9100 QMS documentation standards; prepare deliverable checklists and inputs for milestone reviews.


• Log and track changes and Target Change Requests (TCR) for the assigned scope; assess schedule and cost impact and present to the Project Manager for decision.


• Project Controls, Risk & Reporting:


• Monitor schedule adherence, milestone progress and material / spend for assigned work packages; highlight variances and recovery options early.


• Maintain the RAID log for the assigned scope, identifying technical, supply-chain and timeline risks with mitigation actions and owners.


• Prepare weekly sprint review inputs and status reports (progress, critical path items, blockers, escalations); issue MoMs and track action closure.


• Stakeholder Coordination & Team Support:


• Act as the working-level point of contact for cross-functional leads and vendors on assigned deliverables.


• Deputise for the Project Manager in standups, sprint reviews and stakeholder meetings when delegated; guide Project Coordinators on data, reporting and documentation standards.


• Contribute lessons learnt and improvement ideas to PMO templates, checklists and processes.

Key Performance Indicators

• Work package milestones delivered on time against the agreed QCT baseline.


• V&V, trial and build issues closed within agreed timelines.


• Accuracy and currency of schedule, RAID and status data in Zoho.


• Early, evidence-based escalation of risks and slippages.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electronics, Electrical, Mechatronics or related discipline); a PG qualification in Project / Operations Management is an advantage.


• 6 to 10 years of total experience, including 5+ years in project management / project execution roles in engineering product development – UAV, aerospace, defence, automotive or electro-mechanical hardware preferred.


• Working knowledge of stage-gate product development, prototype build and V&V cycles; exposure to regulatory certification (DGCA, Blue UAS, FCC or equivalent) is desirable.


• Proficient in scheduling, critical path method (CPM), Earned Value basics (SPI / CPI), risk management and change control; hands‑on with Zoho Projects, MS Project or Jira, and MS Excel / PowerPoint.


• CAPM, PMP or Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification is desirable.


• Willingness to travel to flight-test, trial and customer sites as required.

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