At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a groundbreaking R&D programme for unmanned aircraft in aerospace.
- Company: Ambitious British aerospace tech company with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and direct influence on projects.
- Other info: Join a small, dynamic team with significant career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace by managing cutting-edge engineering programmes.
- Qualifications: Experience in complex engineering or R&D projects; strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 90000 £ per year.
Our client is an ambitious British aerospace technology company entering a major new phase of growth. The company has embarked on a significant multi-year R&D programme focused on developing a new generation of unmanned aircraft capable of operating at high altitudes. To deliver it, they are assembling an exceptional engineering team. Experienced leaders have already joined from some of the UK’s most significant aerospace programmes, with further hires planned across flight software, controls, electronics, autonomy and systems engineering.
The company is looking for a Programme Manager to take ownership of the delivery of this major R&D programme, working across engineering, operations, external stakeholders and the leadership team. This is not a role for someone who simply wants to maintain project plans, organise meetings and update spreadsheets. The Programme Manager will sit at the centre of one of the company’s most important engineering programmes, helping translate ambitious technical objectives into something that can actually be delivered.
Responsibilities will include:
- Programme ownership: Building and maintaining the overall programme plan, translating major technical objectives into clear milestones, workstreams and deliverables.
- Engineering coordination: Working closely with engineering leadership and technical teams to understand progress, priorities, dependencies and potential blockers.
- Milestone delivery: Keeping the programme moving against demanding timelines and ensuring problems are identified early enough to do something about them.
- Risk management: Maintaining visibility across technical, operational, commercial and delivery risks, ensuring appropriate mitigation plans are developed and followed.
- Budget and resource coordination: Helping ensure people, suppliers and resources are aligned with programme priorities and that delivery remains within agreed budgets.
- Stakeholder management: Acting as a key point of coordination between the company, programme stakeholders and other external organisations involved in delivery.
- Reporting: Taking ownership of detailed programme reporting, bringing together information from across the organisation and clearly communicating progress, challenges, outcomes and impact.
- Cross-functional leadership: Working across engineering, flight operations, regulatory, commercial and leadership teams to make sure individual workstreams contribute towards the wider programme objectives.
The company is particularly interested in people who have delivered complex engineering, aerospace or R&D projects and programmes. Previous aviation, aerospace, UAS or drone experience would be particularly valuable, but it is not essential. Experience within another highly technical or regulated engineering environment could also translate well. More important is the ability to understand complex technical work, communicate effectively with engineers and provide enough structure and challenge to keep an ambitious programme moving.
Experience delivering government-funded, research-funded or externally sponsored R&D programmes would be a significant advantage, particularly where this has involved formal milestones and detailed stakeholder reporting. This could suit an established Project Manager looking to step up into broader programme ownership, or a Programme Manager who wants considerably more influence and exposure than they would typically receive within a large organisation.
The successful person will join a small, highly technical company where they will work directly with experienced aerospace leaders and have genuine influence over how an ambitious new aircraft platform is developed. As the company and programme grow, there is significant scope for the role to grow with them. If you want to manage an engineering programme where the outcome is a real aircraft rather than another internal transformation project, we’d like to hear from you.
R&D Programme Manager in Leeds employer: Findrs
Join a pioneering UK technology business that thrives at the intersection of cloud, AI, and enterprise software. As a Forward Deployed Product Engineer, you will enjoy a dynamic work culture that values customer engagement and innovation, offering you the chance to shape the future of product engineering. With opportunities for professional growth and the unique advantage of being the first in this role, you will have a direct impact on both customer satisfaction and product evolution.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Programme Manager in Leeds
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Findrs for a R&D Programme Manager. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Programme Manager in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Findrs, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Findrs, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Findrs
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Findrs.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Findrs. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Findrs love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
