Technical Project Manager

Turning ideas into reality takes more than innovation—it takes coordination. We’re looking for a Technical Project Manager to join a highly regarded Optical Technology company based in Oxfordshire. This role offers the chance to manage a mix of client-led and internal R&D projects in a fast-moving, technically challenging environment—working at the forefront of innovation in optics, ophthalmics, and lens systems.

You’ll be responsible for coordinating multidisciplinary teams across engineering, research, and manufacturing functions—ensuring that projects progress smoothly from scope definition through to delivery. While many projects will involve external partners or clients, this role is focused on internal execution and delivery coordination, rather than acting as the primary client liaison.

About the company

This organisation brings deep expertise in both optics and ophthalmics to tackle the most technically ambitious product development challenges in their field. They support clients across the full development lifecycle, from early research to production, working with start-ups, technical consultancies, and global tech brands. Project areas include lens systems, ophthalmic devices, AR/VR hardware, machine vision, and advanced consumer technologies. They’re small, focused, and well-regarded—trusted by some of the biggest names in tech for their deep specialist knowledge. Alongside client work, they also invest significantly in internal R&D, driving innovation in next-gen technology. And above all, they are an exceptional place to work.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee delivery of technical projects—both client-driven and internal R&D.
• Create and manage detailed project plans including scope, resources, milestones, timelines, and risk assessments.
• Work closely with internal teams (optical engineering, mechanical design, manufacturing, research) to track progress and resolve issues.
• Ensure projects remain on track, within budget, and aligned with technical requirements and company goals.
• Coordinate with technical leads and senior stakeholders to prioritise work and balance resources across concurrent projects.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, status reports, and delivery timelines.
• Support continuous improvement of internal project management processes and tools.

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven experience managing complex technical projects, ideally in optics, engineering, medical device or hardware product development.
• Background in engineering or a related STEM field.
• Strong technical understanding of the product development lifecycle from R&D to manufacturing.
• Excellent planning, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working in a small, fast-paced, and collaborative environment.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Confluence, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with regulated environments (such as ISO 13485) is a plus.

Desirable

• Experience in optical systems, ophthalmic devices, or AR/VR hardware.
• Project management certification (e.g., PMP, Prince2, Agile/Scrum).
• Experience balancing internal and external project streams.

Why Join?

You’ll be part of a team solving complex, meaningful problems that few others can. This is a unique opportunity to work alongside leading experts in optics and ophthalmics, contributing to projects that span cutting-edge consumer tech, AR/VR systems, classic Ophthalmics and next-generation lens technologies. The company fosters a collaborative and intellectually rewarding environment where your contribution will have a direct impact.