Principal R&D Project Manager

Emerson; Bayan Lepas; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A global technology firm in Penang, Malaysia, is seeking an experienced Principal Project Manager to lead new product development initiatives. The role involves managing project scope, schedule, and budget while fostering collaboration across global teams. Candidates should have a strong engineering background and at least 8 years of project management experience, with a preference for Agile methodologies. The company offers competitive benefits and a commitment to employee development and wellbeing.

Benefits

Competitive benefits plans

Flexible time off plans

Paid parental leave

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, or 5 years with a Master’s degree.
• Proven success in managing technical projects and controlling budgets.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver new product development projects.
• Define and manage project scope, timelines, resources, and costs.
• Facilitate technical trade-offs to meet project goals.
• Identify and mitigate risks throughout the project lifecycle.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

MS Project

Azure DevOps

Job description

Overview

The NI R&D organization in Penang, Malaysia is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Principal Project Manager to lead new product development initiatives. As part of a global team, you will be responsible for driving cross-functional project execution, managing scope, schedule, and budget, and ensuring successful delivery of innovative products. You will play a key role in aligning technical decisions with business goals, mentoring team members, and fostering collaboration across international sites.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in engineering, proven project management experience, and a passion for leading teams to deliver impactful results. Experience in hardware or software development and familiarity with Agile methodologies are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

In This Role, Your Responsibilities Will:

• Lead cross-functional teams across global sites to deliver new product development projects on time and within budget.
• Define and manage project scope, timelines, resources, and costs, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Facilitate technical trade-offs and decision-making processes to meet project goals.
• Identify and mitigate risks throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring proactive issue resolution.
• Provide clear and consistent communication to stakeholders regarding project status, risks, and changes.
• Collaborate with Discipline Managers to identify talent gaps and recommend team adjustments.
• Guide and coach engineers to foster professional growth and ensure project success.
• Conduct and lead project meetings to maintain alignment and momentum across teams.
• Remove obstacles and drive continuous progress throughout the development cycle.
• Apply hybrid project management methodologies (Waterfall + Agile) for hardware projects and Agile/Scrum for software projects.

Who You Are

You are a strategic thinker and effective communicator who thrives in dynamic environments. You take initiative, solve problems proactively, and lead with confidence and empathy. You are passionate about delivering high-quality products and empowering teams to succeed.

For This Role, You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, or 5 years with a Master’s degree.
• Proven success in managing technical projects, meeting deadlines, and controlling budgets.
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing conditions.
• Experience working in a matrix organization and collaborating across functions.

Preferred Qualifications That Set You Apart

• At least 2 years of hands-on product development experience (hardware, firmware, or driver software).
• Familiarity with project management tools such as MS Project and Azure DevOps.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management credentials.
• Understanding of measurement and automated testing industries is a plus.

Our Culture & Commitment to You

At Emerson, we prioritize a workplace where every employee is valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We foster an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives—because we know that great ideas come from great teams. Our commitment to ongoing career development and growing an inclusive culture ensures you have the support to thrive. Whether through mentorship, training, or leadership opportunities, we invest in your success so you can make a lasting impact.

We recognize the importance of employee wellbeing. We prioritize providing competitive benefits plans, a variety of medical insurance plans, Employee Assistance Program, employee resource groups, recognition, and much more. Our culture offers flexible time off plans, including paid parental leave (maternal and paternal), vacation and holiday leave.