At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-value shipbuilding programmes and drive performance from contract to delivery.
- Company: Join a dynamic UK arm of a global shipbuilding group with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity opportunities, private health insurance, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Be part of a genuine growth story and help shape the future of shipbuilding.
- Why this job: Make your mark in a fast-paced environment and take ownership of impactful projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in defence or government contracts, strong communication skills, and a drive for success.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
SLR Recruitment are currently seeking a Programme Manager — Advanced Shipbuilding Southampton | Full-time, On-site | £50k–£70k + Equity We're not looking for a caretaker.
We're looking for someone hungry to make their mark.
We're the UK arm of a global shipbuilding group known for high-performance vessels built for defence, government, and commercial clients around the world.
Backed by serious international scale and a growing order book, we're building our UK presence from the ground up — running lean, moving fast, and punching well above our size.
That means real autonomy.
Real ownership.
And a genuine seat at the table as we scale.
If you're ambitious, restless, and ready to prove what you can do — if you've already had a taste of defence or government contracting and you're itching for more responsibility than your current role gives you — this is your chance to stop being a cog in someone else's machine and start building something that's actually yours.
The Role You'll take the reins on complex, high-value shipbuilding programmes, from contract award through to delivery, owning technical, cost, and schedule performance along the way.
You'll be the face of the business to governmental customers, the glue holding cross-organisational delivery teams together, and the person in the room when it matters.
This isn't a role where you wait to be told what to do.
We want someone who spots the problem before it's a problem, chases the margin relentlessly, and has the confidence to make the call and own the outcome.
- What you'll be doing
- Owning programme delivery — technical, cost, and schedule — against the Programme Management Plan
- Acting as the primary point of contact with governmental customers, leading reviews and building trust
- Coordinating group companies, partner shipyards, and subcontractors to keep execution sharp and aligned
- Tracking performance indicators and driving recovery action the moment something drifts off baseline
- Getting ahead of risk. spotting it early, owning the mitigation, seeing it through
- Managing contractual compliance and milestone delivery alongside our Commercial/Contract team
- Handling payment milestone processes and evidence submission to the customer
- Working with group specialists on export control, logistics, and customs
- Reporting into the Group Steering Committee and having a real voice in the direction we take What we're looking for
- Some exposure to defence, government, or highly regulated commercial contracts — you don't need 20 years, you need the right instincts and the ambition to run with them
- A track record (even an early one) of taking ownership and getting things over the line, fast
- Comfortable operating across technical, commercial, and stakeholder conversations without needing hand-holding
- Commercially sharp and relentlessly margin-focused, you notice money left on the table and you go after it
- Strong communicator who can hold their own with governmental customers and international partners
- Eligible for UK security clearance (SC minimum)
- Up for international travel, including to group sites in France and beyond
- Most importantly: dynamic, driven, unapologetically ambitious, and genuinely excited by the idea of building something rather than just running it Why join us
- Shareholder opportunity — build equity in a business that's going somewhere, not just draw a salary
- A genuine growth story — join early, grow with us, and help shape what this business becomes as we push toward global leadership
- Private health insurance, incentivisation scheme, flexible working The Package
- £50,000–£70,000 depending on experience
- Shareholder / equity opportunity
- Private health insurance
- Incentivisation scheme
- Flexible working hours
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager in Southampton
✨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 SLR Recruitment for a Project 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 Project Manager in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at SLR Recruitment, 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 SLR Recruitment, 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 SLR Recruitment
✨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 SLR Recruitment.
✨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 SLR Recruitment. 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 SLR Recruitment love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
