Associate Project Manager in Bristol

Location: Bristol, hybrid working (2-3 days on site)

Salary: £46,355 to £52,155 per annum plus 12.5% employer pension & private medical insurance.

Security Clearance Required: You will be required to undertake government security clearance if successful in securing this role.

Summary: As demand grows, we are expanding our Defence team to include another Project Manager supporting technology innovation within the defence industry. You will support the management of complex innovation projects to deliver on time, on cost and on vision. If you enjoy steering engineering & technology programmes and influencing stakeholders, this is your opportunity to help shape the future of UK defence innovation.

NCC is accelerating the adoption of advanced materials, digital engineering and process innovation. Located at the heart of the UK’s largest defence cluster, we work with MOD, prime contractors and SMEs to turn cutting-edge research into deployable capability at pace.

Reporting to the Technology Programme Manager - Defence, you will support a range of small to medium sized projects, with varying complexity, focused on Engineering Technology (not IT) innovation within Aerospace, Submarine and other defence applications.

Specifically, you will focus on the following activities:

• Support Delivery control scope, schedule, cost and risk across the full six-phase lifecycle from initiation to closure using NCC’s project management framework.
• Planning convert technical statements of work into credible resource-loaded schedules, align internal specialists and external partners, and maintain live plans for both active and pipeline projects.
• Support internal & external customers run structured reviews, provide transparent progress reports and build long-term relationships based on delivery excellence.
• Cost management
• Resource management
• Risk & issue management
• Governance & reporting

Skills & Experience Required:

• 3+ years experience as a Project Manager, ideally managing engineering or technical projects.
• Defence or Manufacturing industry background.
• Ability and willingness to undergo government security clearance.
• Engineering background in some shape or form, perhaps you are an Engineering graduate or have run Engineering / Technology (not IT) projects in the past.
• Good communication & interpersonal skills.

What we do: We help manufacturers take on bigger challenges - whether that’s building cleaner aircraft, scaling up offshore wind, or strengthening the UK’s supply chains. We’re here to deliver practical outcomes, not prototypes that sit on shelves.

Who we work with: We work across 16 sectors, from defence and energy to infrastructure and space. Some projects are with global tier 1s, others with small UK firms solving one specific problem - the work is always varied, and always real.

What it’s like here: We’re not a startup. We’re not a corporate. We’re a national centre with the kit, time and people to do the job properly. The teams are focused, the thinking is sharp, and you’ll be trusted to get on with it.

Why this job matters: This role isn’t just internal support - it’s part of how we deliver nationally important work. If we do our job right, the UK’s manufacturers can do theirs better.

What do we offer in return? Hybrid and flexible working patterns as standard, annual salary reviews, company paid private medical insurance, up to 12.5% employer pension contribution, great people, honorary staff status at the University of Bristol. With a genuine focus on wellbeing, EDI and learning and development, this is a chance to build your career in a thriving R&D facility with a bright future.