Project Manager

Project Manager – R&D (New Product Introduction)

Department: Research & Development
Reporting to: Head of Project Management

About the Role
An innovative, high-tech engineering organisation based in Southampton is seeking an experienced Project Manager to support the delivery of next-generation fibre laser products. 

This role is critical to driving New Product Introduction (NPI) projects through the full product development lifecycle, ensuring alignment across product development, marketing, and operations.

You will act as the central point of coordination, providing structure, visibility, and control across complex, cross-functional projects in a fast-paced R&D and manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities
•    Lead the end-to-end product development lifecycle for NPI projects in collaboration with technical and product leaders
•    Coordinate cross-functional planning, tracking, and cost management
•    Provide clear project governance, ownership, deliverables, and status reporting
•    Act as the primary project contact, delivering accurate and timely updates to stakeholders
•    Report NPI progress against agreed KPIs to senior management
•    Manage project budgets, cost tracking, and financial analysis
•    Lead project scheduling, work package definition, and delivery planning
•    Identify, manage, and mitigate project risks and issues
•    Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation
•    Use digital tools for task management and progress tracking
•    Own and maintain Configuration Management (CM) plans, policies, and procedures
•    Control configuration items including requirements, designs, firmware, drawings, BOMs, and documentation

Required Experience
•    Minimum 3 years’ experience in project management within a high-tech development or manufacturing environment
•    Proven delivery of large-scale, complex NPI projects into lean manufacturing operations
•    Experience working with cross-functional engineering teams

Skills & Qualifications
•    STEM degree preferred (not essential)
•    Strong awareness of project management methodologies and tools
•    Experience with Microsoft Project and Jira strongly preferred
•    Demonstrated ability to apply flexible and innovative project management approaches
•    Experience developing and executing NPI processes to high standards

Personal Attributes
•    Strong leadership and influencing skills without direct line management authority
•    Excellent communication skills across all levels of the organisation
•    Confident working with complex technical and operational challenges
•    Calm under pressure with the ability to adapt in a fast-moving environment
•    Proactive, self-motivated, and able to manage workload independently
•    Recognised problem-solver with a practical, solution-focused mindset