Product Manager (Actuators)

CubeSpace ADCS; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

CubeSpace is seeking a driven Product Team Lead to guide the Actuators portfolio, including Reaction Wheels, Torquer Rods, and future actuator tech. You will drive delivery across the full engineering lifecycle, ensuring schedule adherence and strong cross-functional coordination in a product-led matrix.

As execution authority for the Actuators team, you will lead Mechanical, Electronic, Software, ADCS, and Industrialisation disciplines, fostering high-performance teams in a structured

Qualifications

• BEng or BTech in Mechanical, Electronic, Systems, Aerospace Engineering (or related).
• Postgraduate qualifications in Engineering Management or PMP (advantageous).
• 7–12 years in engineering or engineering delivery roles; minimum 3 years in delivery leadership or project management within a structured engineering environment.
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering teams through formal design review processes; exposure to hardware product development.

Responsibilities

• Own the delivery of the Actuators product portfolio, ensuring on-time delivery according to plan.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, monitor progress, and manage risks and blockers.
• Escalate delivery risks and implement recovery plans.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional engineering activities and documentation across Mechanical, Electronic, Software, ADCS and Industrialisation domains.
• Collaborate with Product Owners and Principal Engineers to align roadmaps with delivery commitments.

Skills

Delivery leadership

Systems engineering coordination

Cross-functional leadership

Requirements management

Configuration management

Project scheduling

Education

BEng or BTech in Mechanical, Electronic, Systems, or Aerospace Engineering

Postgraduate qualifications in Engineering Management or PMP

Tools

ERP systems

Requirements management tools

Configuration control tools

Job description

CubeSpace is looking for a driven and experienced Product Team Lead to lead the delivery of our Actuators product portfolio, including Reaction Wheels, Torquer Rods and other components, and future actuator technologies. This role is responsible for driving products through the full engineering lifecycle, ensuring successful execution, schedule adherence, and cross-functional coordination within a product-led matrix environment.

As the execution authority for the Actuators team, you will lead a multidisciplinary engineering team spanning Mechanical, Electronic, Software, ADCS, and Industrialisation disciplines. This is a highly collaborative and project-management-focused leadership role, ideal for someone who thrives in structured engineering environments and enjoys enabling high-performing technical teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the delivery of the Actuators product portfolio, ensuring products are delivered on time and according to plan.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, monitor progress, and proactively manage risks, blockers, and delivery challenges.
• Escalate delivery risks and implement recovery plans when required.
• Lead products through key engineering review milestones and ensure all required documentation and deliverables are completed.
• Coordinate product-level systems engineering activities, including requirements management, interface definition, and configuration control.
• Work closely with Product Owners and Principal Engineers to align technical roadmaps with delivery commitments.
• Lead and coordinate a cross-functional team of engineers and Industrialisation resources, ensuring effective planning and execution.
• Manage task allocation, prioritisation, and team capacity to meet project objectives.
• Facilitate regular planning sessions and one-on-one engagements to support team members and remove obstacles.
• Contribute to employee performance, development, and growth discussions.
• Collaborate with Engineering Managers, Program Managers, Product Owners, and Principal Engineers to manage dependencies and optimise resource utilisation.
• Participate in cross-functional planning and support integrated program delivery across teams.
• Contribute to hiring activities and initiatives that support team growth and capability development.
• BEng or BTech degree in Mechanical, Electronic, Systems, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• Postgraduate qualifications in Engineering, Engineering Management, or Project Management certifications (PMP or equivalent) will be advantageous.
• 7-12 years of relevant engineering or engineering delivery experience.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in a delivery leadership or project management role within a structured engineering environment.
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering teams through formal design review processes.
• Exposure to hardware product development environments, ideally within the space, defence, or high-reliability industries.
• Strong project management and execution abilities.
• Systems engineering coordination and configuration management experience.
• Knowledge of engineering review processes (PDR, CDR, QR).
• Experience with project planning and ERP systems.
• Familiarity with requirements management and configuration control tools.
• Understanding of ADCS actuator technologies and engineering development processes.
• A proactive, delivery-focused mindset with high levels of accountability
• Contribute to meaningful global space missions with work that has real impact.
• Be part of an innovative environment working with advanced space technologies.
• Join a fast-growing, internationally recognised leader in the satellite control industry.
• Develop your career in a high-performance, supportive, and growth-focused culture.
• Work in a collaborative and mission-driven environment where your leadership and technical coordination will directly influence the future of space technology.