Junior Project Manager

SYOS Aerospace; Mount Maunganui; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SYOS Aerospace in Mount Maunganui is seeking a Junior Project Manager to bring structure to complexity and own projects from planning through delivery.

This hands-on role works closely with engineers, production, supply chain and operations. You don’t need extensive PM experience—just strong organisation, curiosity and drive to get things done, with room to grow and contribute to project success.

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in engineering, aerospace, robotics, mechatronics, mechanical, electrical or a related technical field is desirable.
• Capstone or final-year projects, internships or industry placements can demonstrate relevant experience.
• Formal project management training such as CAPM, PRINCE2 Foundation or PMP study is advantageous, but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Own and coordinate engineering work packages, milestones and deliverables.
• Track actions, decisions, risks, issues and dependencies.
• Coordinate design reviews, prototype builds, testing and engineering handovers.
• Build and maintain project plans, schedules, resource forecasts and cost trackers.
• Run project meetings and capture actions.
• Work across engineering, production, supply chain, operations and project teams.
• Support scope, change control, procurement and supplier coordination.
• Track project budgets and forecasts, escalating issues early.
• Coordinate field testing, demonstrations, supplier visits and project workshops.
• Maintain clear project documentation and configuration records.
• Support risk, quality, compliance and lessons-learned activities.
• Identify better ways to improve project processes, templates and workflows.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication

Budgeting & Excel

Problem solving

Ownership mindset

Stakeholder management

Education

Engineering, aerospace, robotics, mechatronics, mechanical, electrical or related technical field

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Microsoft Project

SharePoint

Job description

At SYOS, we’re building autonomous systems that operate across air, land, sea and subsurface - and we’re moving fast.

We’re looking for a Junior Project Manager who can bring structure to complexity, keep people moving and take ownership of projects from planning through to delivery.

This is a hands-on role where you’ll work closely with engineers, technicians, production, supply chain and operations. You don’t need years of project management experience - we’re looking for someone with the organisation, technical curiosity and drive to get things done.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Own and coordinate engineering work packages, schedules, milestones and deliverables.
• Keep projects moving by tracking actions, decisions, risks, issues and dependencies.
• Coordinate design reviews, prototype builds, testing and engineering handovers.
• Build and maintain project plans, schedules, resource forecasts and cost trackers.
• Run project meetings, capture actions and follow up with owners.
• Work across engineering, production, supply chain, operations and project teams.
• Support scope, change control, procurement and supplier coordination.
• Track project budgets, actual spend and forecasts, escalating issues early.
• Coordinate field testing, demonstrations, supplier visits and project workshops.
• Maintain clear project documentation, reporting and configuration records.
• Support risk, quality, compliance and lessons-learned activities.
• Identify better ways to improve project processes, templates and workflows.

About You

We're looking for someone who:

• Has up to around 3 years' experience in project coordination, engineering, technical delivery or a similar environment - or equivalent project experience through study.
• Is highly organised and naturally keeps track of what needs to happen next.
• Can confidently follow up actions and hold people accountable.
• Communicates clearly with both technical and non-technical teams.
• Enjoys solving problems and bringing structure to ambiguity.
• Is comfortable working with budgets, numbers and Excel.
• Has strong attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger picture.
• Is technically curious and wants to understand how products are designed, built and tested.
• Can adapt quickly when priorities change.
• Takes ownership rather than waiting to be told what to do.

Skills/Qualifications

A tertiary qualification in engineering, aerospace, robotics, mechatronics, mechanical, electrical or a related technical field is desirable.

We're also keen to hear from graduates who can demonstrate project experience through:

• Capstone or final-year projects
• Internships or industry placements
• Student engineering teams
• Formula SAE
• Robotics competitions
• Hardware or product development projects

Formal project management training such as CAPM, PRINCE2 Foundation or PMP study is advantageous, but not essential.

Experience with Jira, Confluence, Microsoft Project, SharePoint or similar tools is also useful.

The Practical stuff

• Full-time position based in Mount Maunganui
• Travel may be required for testing, demonstrations, supplier visits and project meetings.
• A current driver's licence is desirable.
• The role involves sensitive technical and commercial information, so appropriate background checks or security clearances may be required.

Applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.