Principal Consultant in Product Lifecycle Management - Aerospace & Defence in Manchester

Our Systems Insights & Solutions team are looking for a Principal Consultant in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) with experience in Aerospace & Defence or related discrete manufacturing industries. We believe that business value can be derived from PLM solutions when the correct application of end‑to‑end process thinking combines with enabling technology and the right transformation approach.

As a Principal Consultant within Systems Insights and Solutions, you will take a leading role on projects that have a real impact on our clients’ ability to deliver new products, delivering game‑changing solutions. This role will focus upon the delivery of PLM solutions supporting all phases of the product lifecycle, with primary focus on Digital Engineering:

• Product and Technology Portfolio Management
• Programme Delivery and Governance
• Multi‑Disciplinary Design and Optimisation
• Connected Verification and Certification
• Smart Manufacturing
• Optimised Sustainment and Availability

Typical projects will include:

• Carrying out PLM diagnostic and development of business case
• Defining the business architecture / operating model, requirements and PLM solution blueprint
• Leading PLM Transformation initiatives

Working Conditions

Hybrid working – we favor a mix of office and client‑site presence; a minimum of 2–3 days per week in the office or on client sites, with up to 5 days per week on a client site depending on the assignment. Travel to client sites will be necessary as and when the client requires.

Qualifications

Essential qualifications and experience

• PLM Leadership: 10+ years of PLM experience, working with the major PLM vendors to design and deploy their solutions. Experience with Siemens solutions will be an advantage.
• Technical Expertise: Deep hands‑on expertise in core PLM processes, such as BOM management, change/config, variant/options management, CAD/CAE integration, ALM/requirements trace, maintenance and through‑life support.
• Business acumen: Experience in shaping business cases and implementation roadmaps for investment in PLM solutions. Ability to hold executive level conversations to build alignment on a PLM transformation vision.
• Prior consulting experience: Ability to manage client stakeholders, and all aspects of the consulting engagement lifecycle.

Desirable qualifications and experience:

• Standards & Frameworks: Proficiency in ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, TOGAF, EIA‑649, STEP/PLCS awareness, AS9145, ISO 9001/27001. Understanding of defence export‑control constraints.
• Industry Experience: Experience and knowledge of key working practices in Defence, or other discrete manufacturing industries.

We know the skill‑gap and ‘somewhat need to tick every box’ can get in the way of meeting brilliant candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply – we’d love to hear from you.

Please be aware that some of our UK roles at PA Consulting require a UK security clearance. All PA people are required to undergo background checks and to achieve the Baseline Personnel Security Standard; some UK roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting, where applicants must have at least 5 years of continuous residency in the UK. We therefore ask that you only apply if you meet the residency requirements (i.e. you are a British citizen or have been resident in the UK for the past 5 years), as this is the prerequisite for a security clearance. If you're unsure about your eligibility, we encourage you to review the UK Government’s guidance on security vetting before applying.

Benefits

• Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare
• 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days
• Generous company pension scheme
• Opportunity to get involved with community and charity‑based initiatives
• Annual performance‑based bonus
• PA share ownership
• Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn)

Equal Opportunity Employer

We’re committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, or any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

Adjustments or accommodations – Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on recruitmentenquiries@paconsulting.com