At a Glance
- Tasks: Support product development for innovative lighting control solutions in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Pharos, an award-winning British manufacturer of cutting-edge lighting technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working flexibility, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Friendly, supportive environment with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on iconic projects while growing your career in product management.
- Qualifications: Some work experience and strong communication skills; passion for tech is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Pharos office in Cambridge, UK, Hope Street Yard, CB1 3NA. The post holder may be required to work at other locations, at the discretion of their line manager.
Salary: Competitive, dependent on level of experience.
Benefits:
- Daily office attendance bonus
- Flexibility around hybrid working
- Matched pension up to 4% salary
- Private healthcare plan
Working Hours: Full-time or part-time (minimum hours negotiable).
Contract Type: Permanent.
Pharos is seeking a diligent, detail-oriented Junior Product Manager to join our close-knit team in Cambridge. You'll help shape the hardware and software products that control the lighting on some of the world's most iconic buildings - from skyscrapers and stadiums to airports, shopping malls and theme parks. This is a hands-on role with real responsibility from day one, and a clear path to grow into a broader product development career alongside a team that genuinely loves what it builds.
Job Summary: The Junior Product Manager will support the ongoing development of Pharos products, which include a range of embedded lighting controllers, touch screen interfaces and accessories, and cross-platform desktop applications used by customers to configure and program lighting systems. The successful candidate will work closely with engineering, QA and customer-facing teams to help shape requirements, validate features through hands-on testing, and produce the documentation that helps customers and colleagues get the most out of our products.
Key Responsibilities:
- Produce and maintain product documentation and supporting materials, including user guides, release notes, internal references and customer-facing collateral.
- Carry out structured user acceptance testing of new & existing software & hardware, capturing clear, reproducible feedback for engineering and QA.
- Develop deep, hands-on expertise across the Pharos product range, becoming a go-to reference for colleagues on feature behaviour and real-world use.
- Collaborate with developers throughout the development cycle, supporting delivery from specification to release.
- Help capture, refine and organise requirements and user specifications, along with decisions and actions from product meetings, working with the product team, engineers and customers to ensure specifications are clear, complete and testable.
- Apply a high level of attention to detail across documentation, requirements and test feedback, flagging inconsistencies and edge cases.
Essential Qualifications:
- Some professional work experience — we welcome applications from candidates whose background is non-traditional or from adjacent fields.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to a range of audiences.
- Strong attention to detail and a methodical, organised approach to work.
- Proven ability to work effectively in collaborative, cross-functional teams.
- Comfortable learning new technical domains quickly and asking the right questions to fill gaps.
Desirable Extras:
- Some relevant experience in a product, technical, support or QA role, or a strong demonstrable interest in moving into product management.
- Educational or professional background in a relevant field, e.g. Live Events, Architectural Lighting, Computer Science, Engineering, etc.
- Experience in the use of lighting, audio or video control products within a live event or installation environment.
- Excellent time management, including the ability to prioritise conflicting tasks appropriately.
- Familiarity with issue tracking and documentation tools such as YouTrack, Jira, Confluence or similar.
- Exposure to Agile or Scrum ways of working.
- Basic technical literacy around networking, scripting or APIs.
Junior Product Manager in Cambridge employer: Pharos Architectural Controls
Pharos Architectural Controls is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of Cambridge, offering a supportive and flexible work environment that fosters employee growth and collaboration. As a Junior Product Manager, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to innovative lighting solutions for iconic structures while enjoying competitive benefits such as a daily office attendance bonus, hybrid working flexibility, and a matched pension scheme. Join a passionate team dedicated to excellence and creativity, where your contributions will be valued and your career can flourish.
Contact Details:
Pharos Architectural Controls Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Product Manager in Cambridge
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Pharos Architectural Controls!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Pharos Architectural Controls would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Pharos Architectural Controls through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Product Manager in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Junior Product Manager, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Junior Product Manager position at Pharos Architectural Controls. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pharos Architectural Controls
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
