Senior Project Manager (Aerospace)

HR Talent Partner SA; Somerset West; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

HR Talent Partner SA in Somerset West invites a Senior Project Manager to lead end-to-end payload development for space systems, ensuring technical excellence and regulatory compliance. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, manage budgets, and drive schedules from concept to testing, aligning with mission objectives and company strategy.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in engineering or sciences and 5+ years in aerospace, with SA citizenship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering or applied sciences.
• 5+ years in aerospace/space systems engineering or payload development or project management.
• South African citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Budget & Resource Control for payload development.
• Cross-Functional Coordination with internal stakeholders.
• Payload Project Planning & Execution from concept to integration and testing.
• Technical Oversight & Risk Management per mission specs and interface requirements.
• Internal Reporting & Stakeholder Communication with leadership.
• Quality, Testing & Integration Readiness for payloads.
• Knowledge Management & Continuous Improvement across projects.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement of project delivery processes.

Skills

Budgeting

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Project planning

Technical oversight

Communication with stakeholders

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or applied sciences

Master’s degree (beneficial)

Job description

Senior Project Manager (Aerospace) job vacancy in Somerset West.

A renowned international aerospace and space systems engineering company is looking for a Senior Project Manager join their team on a full-time permanent basis in the Helderberg Area.

Extremely good package on offer plus internal career advancement opportunities.

Position Overview:

Lead and coordinate the end-to-end development of space payloads, ensuring technical excellence, regulatory compliance, and timely delivery in alignment with mission objectives and organisational strategy.

Position Responsibilities:

• Budget & Resource Control
  • Develop and manage internal budgets for payload development, including procurement of components and test equipment.
  • Monitor internal resource utilization and adjust plans to optimize team performance and cost efficiency.
  • Support internal audits and financial reporting related to project expenditures.
• Cross-Functional Coordination
  • Facilitate effective communication between departments to ensure smooth execution and timely issue resolution.
  • Act as the central point of contact for internal stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Payload Project Planning & Execution
  • Lead the end-to-end planning and execution of payload development projects, from concept through integration and testing.
  • Translate mission requirements into detailed payload development plans, ensuring alignment with technical, schedule, and budget constraints.
  • Coordinate internal design reviews, technical milestones, and readiness assessments.
• Technical Oversight & Risk Management
  • Oversee technical progress of payload subsystems, ensuring compliance with mission specs and interface requirements.
  • Identify and mitigate technical risks early through proactive planning, simulations, and trade-off analyses.
  • Ensure internal adherence to ECSS standards and ESA/NATO/Belgian space compliance frameworks.
• Internal Reporting & Stakeholder Communication
  • Provide regular updates to internal leadership on project status, risks, and mitigation strategies.
  • Prepare internal documentation for design reviews, test campaigns, and integration readiness.
  • Ensure traceability of decisions and maintain a clear audit trail for internal and external stakeholders.
• Quality, Testing & Integration Readiness
  • Coordinate internal payload verification and validation activities, including functional, environmental, and performance testing.
  • Ensure payloads meet internal quality standards before delivery to integration or launch partners.
  • Collaborate with internal AIT teams to ensure smooth handover and integration of payloads into spacecraft platforms.
• Knowledge Management & Continuous Improvement
  • Capture lessons learned from each payload development cycle and feed them into internal process improvements.
  • Promote internal knowledge sharing across projects and teams to build organisational expertise in payload development.
  • Stay informed on emerging payload technologies and propose internal innovation initiatives where applicable.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
• • Encourage innovation in project delivery, leveraging emerging technologies and methodologies.
  • Lead internal initiatives to improve project workflows, documentation standards, and knowledge sharing.
  • Stay informed on industry trends and integrate best practices into internal project management processes.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering or Applied Sciences (with relevant technical specialisation).
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in Aerospace or space systems engineering, Payload development or integration and/or project management in high-tech or regulated industries.
• Only open to South African citizens.

Recommendations (Beneficial, not compulsory):

• Master’s degree (MSc or equivalent) in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline.
• Hands‑on experience with designing, developing, testing, or integrating space payloads, such as optical instruments, communication systems, scientific sensors, or Earth observation equipment.
• Familiarity with payload subsystem interfaces, environmental constraints, and mission‑specific requirements.
• Proven track record of leading complex engineering projects in aerospace, defense, or high‑tech sectors.
• Experience managing project lifecycles, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams (e.g., systems engineering, thermal, mechanical, software, AIT).
• Ability to coordinate internal resources and external suppliers or subcontractors.
• Exposure to ECSS standards, ESA project methodologies, or similar frameworks.
• Understanding of space industry regulations, including export control, cybersecurity, and quality assurance.
• Experience overseeing or participating in payload testing, including functional, environmental (thermal, vibration), and performance validation.
• Familiarity with cleanroom protocols, test facilities, and integration workflows.
• Experience preparing technical documentation, project reports, and internal review materials.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, including engineering leads, finance, and executive leadership.