Project Manager – Aviation / Advanced Engineering

Project Manager – Aviation & Advanced Engineering Projects

Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time (37 hours per week)
Salary: £45,000 – £55,000 + Excellent Benefits

The Opportunity

Our client, a leading organisation operating within the defence and advanced engineering sector, is seeking an experienced Project Manager to join their growing Programmes team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering innovative projects focused on Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) , advanced aviation technologies, and mission-critical engineering solutions.

Working across a portfolio of technically complex development projects, you will oversee the planning, coordination and successful delivery of new capability and service development initiatives. This role offers the chance to work with cutting‑edge technologies in a highly regulated environment, collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams, customers, and external suppliers to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time and within budget.

This position would suit an experienced Project Manager or Senior Project Manager with a strong technical background gained within aviation, aerospace, defence or a similar engineering environment. Candidates with significant engineering project experience outside of aviation will also be considered.

The Role

As Project Manager, you will take ownership of multiple concurrent projects from initiation through to delivery, ensuring effective planning, governance and stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle.

A significant element of the role involves coordinating external suppliers and managing supply chain activities, ensuring that equipment, services and technical deliverables are provided in line with project schedules and quality expectations.

Working closely with engineering, operational and commercial teams, you will ensure projects meet technical, financial and operational objectives while maintaining compliance with industry standards and internal governance processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of multiple technical projects, ensuring scope, cost, schedule and quality objectives are achieved.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, resource forecasts and delivery milestones.
• Manage project budgets, costs and financial reporting throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate cross‑functional engineering and technical teams to achieve project objectives.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Manage supplier performance and support procurement and supply chain activities to ensure successful project delivery.
• Identify, assess and mitigate project risks, issues and dependencies.
• Manage project change control processes and ensure effective governance is maintained.
• Monitor project performance through KPIs, reporting and regular progress reviews.
• Prepare and present project updates to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Ensure all project documentation is maintained to a high standard.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across project delivery and PMO processes.
• Contribute to the successful introduction of new products, services and operational capabilities.

About You

We’re looking for an organised, proactive and technically minded Project Manager who enjoys working in a fast‑paced engineering environment and is comfortable managing multiple stakeholders and suppliers.

You will be confident leading complex technical projects while maintaining excellent communication across engineering teams, customers and external partners.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience delivering complex technical or engineering projects.
• Previous experience within aviation, aerospace, defence, engineering or advanced technology sectors.
• Strong project planning and scheduling experience.
• Experience managing multiple projects or work packages simultaneously.
• Demonstrable experience managing project budgets, risks, issues and change control.
• Experience working with external suppliers and managing supply chain activities within a project environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary project teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong organisational and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Project and Microsoft 365 applications.
• Experience producing project reporting, metrics and performance updates.

Desirable Experience

• Knowledge or experience of Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS/UAV) .
• Experience working with airborne systems, mission systems or defence technologies.
• Engineering qualification (HNC/HND, Degree or equivalent).
• Formal Project Management qualification such as APM, PRINCE2, Agile or equivalent.
• Experience using Power BI for project reporting.

What’s on Offer

Our client offers the opportunity to work on genuinely innovative engineering programmes that contribute to the development of next‑generation aviation and defence capabilities.

In addition to a competitive salary, you’ll benefit from an excellent package including:

• Competitive pension contribution
• Annual bonus scheme
• Private medical insurance
• Electric vehicle scheme
• Technology and wellbeing benefits
• Ongoing professional development and training
• Opportunities to work on cutting‑edge engineering and aviation projects
• A collaborative and supportive working environment

DCS Recruitment and all associated companies are committed to creating a working environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone is treated fairly, regardless of gender, gender identity, disability, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or transgender status, age, or nationality

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