Project Engineering Manager in Portsmouth

Serco Limited – Full time, permanent – Location: Portsmouth, PO1 3LT – Salary: Competitive plus excellent benefits.

Overview

Ready to impact a better future? As a Project Engineering Manager in our Maritime Services team, you’ll lead on technical decisions that keep our small‑boat fleet mission‑ready and safe. Your work will directly support defence operations and ensure vessels remain operational for critical tasks. You’ll play a key role in delivering engineering solutions that make a positive impact on communities and national security, while working with a team that values innovation and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical point of contact for the customer, end‑user and project technical team.
• Triage technical issues across the fleet of vessels and recommend a course of action for resolution.
• Develop, review, refine and prioritise multiple technical scopes of work in collaboration with suppliers, OEMs and the customer.
• Oversee the engineering implementation of upgrades and modifications onboard vessels.
• Lead technical elements during project planning, ensuring all specifications and deliverables are clear and achievable.
• Provide engineering input and oversight during contractor and OEM activities, both on‑site and remotely.
• Liaise with the customer and/or end‑user representatives to ensure technical alignment and compliance with defence standards, contractual requirements and Serco Maritime Services Standards.
• Support the preparation of detailed work packages.
• Monitor progress, resolve technical issues, and ensure adherence to safety and quality requirements.
• Attend project meetings as the Serco Maritime Services technical representative, supported by the wider project team.
• Pro‑actively assist the customer to eliminate project/general problems to ensure there are no consequential impacts on the vessel’s operational capability or availability.
• Line‑manage the technical delivery team for the project.
• Oversee quality assurance across all technical deliverables of the project.
• Provide oversight of configuration management and technical documentation.
• Produce internal and external technical reports and support project reporting requirements.
• Provide out of hours support where needed.

Qualifications

• Flexible to travel around the UK.
• IEng, C Eng, HNC/HND or working towards; senior seagoing Marine Engineering qualifications.
• Experience in a technical role of an In‑Service Support contract and ideally within the defence industry.
• In‑depth knowledge of marine systems on small boats, including mechanical, structural and electrical.
• Knowledge of planned maintenance systems.
• Experience of design for modification.
• Experience working to Health and Safety standards/regulations and ensuring best practices for all working environments.
• Experience working with or in boatyards.
• Experience managing subcontractors with a demonstrated ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships and contractual obligations.
• Knowledge of maritime regulatory standards.
• Strong background in quality assurance and technical oversight, with an understanding of audit, inspection and compliance processes for vessel maintenance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of interacting effectively with technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Line management experience.
• Strength in communication and reporting.
• Proven Marine industry experience.

Vetting and checks

This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality and criminal record to meet government security standards. Depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.

Benefits

• Holidays: Up to 25 days plus bank holidays (and the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year).
• Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme.
• Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (including L3 Team Leader and L5 Operations Manager apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities and a focus on internal progression.
• Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco‑managed leisure centres and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service.
• Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel.
• Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax‑free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity.
• Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.