At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting machinery projects from start to finish, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
- Company: Join a century-old machinery manufacturer with a strong global presence.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, life assurance, and a solid pension scheme.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in engineering while managing diverse projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management within engineering is essential.
Location: Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire
Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 per annum
Benefits: Private healthcare, life assurance, company pension scheme, plus additional employee benefits.
Job Type: Permanent, full-time, site-based
Sector: Bespoke Machinery, Capital Equipment, Special Purpose Machinery, Engineered Systems
About the Company:
A well-established machinery manufacturer is looking to add an experienced Project Manager to its project delivery team. This is a permanent opportunity with a long-standing engineering business that has been designing, manufacturing, and delivering specialist machinery for around 100 years. The company employs more than 150 people globally and supplies engineered equipment into a variety of industrial markets. Due to continued growth, a strong order book, and increased project demand, the business now needs an additional Project Manager to help manage customer projects from order through to completion. The company manufactures as much as possible in-house, supported by trusted subcontract manufacturing partners.
The Role:
As Project Manager, you will be responsible for delivering bespoke machinery and capital equipment projects from initial order placement through to customer acceptance. Projects are typically valued between £500k and £5m, and you will usually be managing multiple live projects at different stages. This includes projects moving through design, procurement, manufacture, assembly, factory acceptance testing (FAT), installation, site acceptance testing (SAT), and final handover. The role is about keeping projects visible, controlled, and moving in the right direction. You will work closely with design engineering, purchasing, production, assembly, testing, installation, and customer-facing teams to ensure key actions are followed through and potential issues are addressed early. Note: This is a dedicated project management position, not a hands-on design role. The position is predominantly office-based with only occasional travel required to suppliers and customer sites.
What You Will Be Doing:
- Taking ownership of machinery and capital equipment projects from order handover through to completion
- Building, maintaining and updating project plans using MS Project and other planning tools
- Coordinating activity across design, purchasing, manufacturing, assembly, FAT, installation and SAT
- Tracking project progress against cost, schedule, quality and customer expectations
- Acting as a key communication link between customers, suppliers and internal departments
- Identifying risks early and pushing actions forward before they become bigger issues
- Managing project changes, delays, variations and commercial implications
- Reviewing project budgets, costs and cost-to-complete information
- Supporting escalations relating to subcontract manufacturing, suppliers and project delivery
- Chairing project meetings and ensuring actions are clearly owned and followed up
- Keeping multiple live projects moving while balancing competing priorities
- Influencing people across the business without always having direct line management authority
What We Are Looking For:
We are seeking an experienced engineering project professional. While formal project management qualifications (such as APM or Prince2) or a technical qualification (HNC/HND/Degree) are highly advantageous, proven delivery experience within a relevant engineering environment is our primary requirement. The successful Project Manager will come from one of the following backgrounds:
- Bespoke machinery or special purpose machinery
- Capital equipment or engineered systems
- Automation and robotics systems
- Complex manufacturing or mechanical/electrical engineering environments
Required Skills & Experience:
- Proven experience managing engineering projects through the full lifecycle.
- Strong planning, scheduling, and project control skills (proficiency in MS Project is preferred).
- Experience working alongside design, procurement, manufacturing, assembly, and commissioning teams.
- Good commercial awareness, including cost control and variation management.
- The confidence to manage customer expectations professionally through delays, risks, and recovery plans.
- A structured, proactive, and resilient approach to problem-solving.
This role may also suit an Engineering Project Manager, Technical Project Manager, Project Engineer, Senior Project Engineer, Contracts Engineer, or Contracts Manager with experience delivering machinery or complex engineered products.
Location & Commute:
The role is based at the manufacturing site in Lancashire and is easily commutable for candidates living in or around: Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, Blackburn, Burnley, Darwen, Haslingden, Rossendale, Clitheroe, Preston, Chorley, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Nelson, Colne, Leyland, and North Manchester.
To Apply:
If you are an experienced Project Manager with a background in capital equipment or special purpose machinery, this is an excellent opportunity to join a stable manufacturer with a strong, long-term project workload. Please click "Apply" today with your updated CV for immediate consideration.
Project Manager employer: SimWest Engineering Recruitment
Join a well-established machinery manufacturer in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, where you will be part of a dedicated team delivering bespoke machinery projects. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, the company offers private healthcare, life assurance, and a pension scheme, alongside a supportive work culture that encourages professional growth and collaboration across departments. This is an excellent opportunity to thrive in a stable environment with a rich history and a commitment to innovation in engineered systems.
Contact Details:
SimWest Engineering Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Project Manager role you’re after at SimWest Engineering Recruitment.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at SimWest Engineering Recruitment a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at SimWest Engineering Recruitment.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Project Manager at SimWest Engineering Recruitment, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Project Manager, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at SimWest Engineering Recruitment a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to SimWest Engineering Recruitment specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at SimWest Engineering Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with SimWest Engineering Recruitment, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like SimWest Engineering Recruitment want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
