Development Project Manager

HENSOLDT; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 750 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Pretoria is seeking a Development Project Manager responsible for overseeing technical project management of software projects. This role involves managing schedules, resources, and budgets while collaborating with diverse teams to ensure successful project outcomes. Candidates should have a degree in Engineering and significant experience in project management. Strong leadership and technical skills are essential. This position emphasizes diversity and inclusion in hiring, aligning with the company's values.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience, preferably 6 years in Project Management within a software environment.
• Strong leadership experience in a technical or engineering context.
• Ability to maintain a big-picture view while managing detailed technical challenges.

Responsibilities

• Manage software project schedules within Software Engineering.
• Interface with other departments for software product roadmaps.
• Identify project risks and implement mitigation strategies.

Skills

Project planning techniques

Stakeholder management

Systems Engineering principles

Education

Undergraduate degree in Engineering

Formal Project Management training

Tools

Jira

Project Server

SharePoint

Job description

About The Role

The Development Project Manager is responsible for the technical project management of Software (SW) projects, including non-recurring engineering (NRE) projects for external customers. The role also supports the Head of Engineering in an operational management capacity for the execution of internal software development. The incumbent will manage schedules, resources, budgets, risks, and stakeholder interfaces to ensure software products and solutions are delivered to agreed quality, cost, and timeline objectives.

Qualification And Experience

• Minimum technical qualification; Undergraduate degree in Engineering preferred.
• Formal Project Management training or equivalent.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience; preferably 6 years in Project Management within a software product development environment.
• Strong leadership experience in a technical or engineering context.

Key Technical Skills

• Good working knowledge of project planning techniques, tools, and controls.
• Solid understanding of the project lifecycle and methods to control project outputs.
• Experience using tools such as Jira, Project Server, and SharePoint (or similar).
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to interpret software requirements and schedule design, development, integration, and testing to quality outputs.
• Understanding of manufacturing of complex products and systems within a design and development environment.
• Application of Systems Engineering principles and Product Development Processes in new development projects.
• Good understanding of project and operational budget creation and management.
• Good knowledge of electronic and software engineering discipline requirements.
• Ability to perform resource and workload planning across multiple software projects.
• Ability to maintain a big-picture view while driving teams to resolve detailed technical challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Management
• Manage internal software project schedules within Software Engineering.
• Manage software projects for external customers, liaising with Programmes and Bids for NRE requirements.
• Interface with the Portfolio department to support creation of software product roadmaps and execution within Engineering.
• Identify project risks and implement mitigation strategies and actions.
• Maintain up-to-date project plans on Project Server, including resource and workload planning across multiple SW and NRE projects, and ensure plans support company workload planning tools.
• Report on project progress at monthly finance reviews.
• Liaise with suppliers and sub-contractors for project execution.
• General Management
• Support the compilation of Product Roadmaps in conjunction with Portfolio, Integrated Product Managers, Product Managers, and Product Owners.
• Manage the software project budget and submit monthly reports to the Head of Engineering.
• Establish a framework with development engineers to achieve product certification requirements and ensure plans are in place to meet these objectives.
• Maintain evidence and records of quality and technical reviews.
• Operational Management
• Support the creation of the test environment.
• Direct the implementation of the software development process in conjunction with Engineering Managers.
• Distribute workload and priorities in the Engineering department through weekly priority meetings and updated priority lists.
• Coordinate priority lists with Peralex and other suppliers, with inputs from Product Owners, Product Managers, and Integrated Product Managers.
• Regularly communicate with external customers (where applicable) and project teams to provide status updates and ensure alignment to project milestones.
• Participate in the recruitment process as required.
• Support the Head of Engineering by participating in performance appraisals.
• Determine and coordinate training requirements for the Software Engineering environment with Line Managers, including technical training, processes, and procedures.

Our recruitment values

HENSOLDT South Africa focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organizational strategy. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive corporate culture that benefits our employees and delivers better outcomes for our clients. In line with our commitment to equal employment opportunities and our focus on diversity in the operational environment, we welcome applications from all ethnic groups. In line with HENSOLDT's commitment to equal employment opportunities and our focus on diversity in the operational environment, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups.

Application Deadline: 20 February 2026.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV by applying directly on the HENSOLDT Careers page.

If you have not been contacted within 14 days of the closing date, please consider your application complete.