Senior Project Manager - Composite Armour Systems

Job Title: SeniorProject Manager - Composite Armour Systems

Job Reports To: Director of Engineering

Department: Project Management

Location: Coventry, UK

Core Hours: 08:00-16:35 (Mon - Thu) 08:00-15:10 (Fri)

Vacancy Type: Full time, Permanent and based on-site.

Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum (subject to experience) + Discretionary Bonus

JOB SUMMARY

Looking for a Senior Project Manager role where your work truly makes a difference? This could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

At NP Aerospace, we don't just deliver projects, we deliver life-saving innovation. We're seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead the successful delivery of cutting-edge defence protection products, including armour plates, ballistic shields, helmets, and bomb disposal suits.

In this role, you'll manage a portfolio of technically complex projects across our Composite and Armour Systems business, playing a vital role in protecting lives on the front line.

We're looking for someone with a strong background in engineering, manufacturing or a related technical field, and a proven track record of delivering high-impact, technically focused projects. If you're ready to take on meaningful challenges with real-world impact, we want to hear from you.

BENEFITS

• Discretionary Half Year Bonus
• Flexible start and finish working hours (subject to manager approval)
• Holidays - 25 days + 8 Bank Holidays + Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Two weeks paid leave for Reservists and Cadets to attend yearly training/camp
• Paid leave for employees who are Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs)
• Pension - ER/EE - 4%/5% = 9% combined

JOB DUTIES

The duties below are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required. A flexible approach will be required by the job holder to deal with the changing nature of the job and the demands of the customer.

• Provide strategic leadership and overall accountability for the successful delivery of all assigned programmes, ensuring completion on time, within scope, and on budget while meeting or exceeding quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Direct and align cross-functional teams , ensuring optimal allocation of resources and capabilities to meet complex technical and delivery objectives .
• Engage at a senior level with engineering, design, and technical leadership to shape project scope, capture requirements, and define deliverables using robust work breakdown and systems engineering methodologies.
• Set technical direction and provide oversight to ensure solutions fully meet customer specifications, contractual commitments, and applicable industry standards.
• Oversee and influence engineering and design outputs , ensuring all deliverables meet agreed performance criteria and programme milestones.
• Drive and authorise engineering change control , directing modifications to support evolving project and customer needs.
• Lead the full product lifecycle , from bid and initiation through design, development, verification, production, and in-service support.
• Champion root cause analysis and resolution of technical, production, and in-service issues, ensuring sustainable corrective actions are implemented.
• Work in close partnership with Production and Quality leadership to maintain product integrity and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure alignment of workstream leads to project objectives , responsibilities, and key timelines through proactive leadership and governance.
• Deliver high-quality, accurate , and timely reporting to senior management and external stakeholders, providing clear insight into progress, risks, and opportunities.
• Act as the senior customer interface , building long-term relationships, managing expectations, and ensuring satisfaction throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Establish and maintain project governance structures , including Project Management Plans, ensuring compliance with corporate and contractual requirements.
• Identify , evaluate, and manage programme risks and opportunities , implementing proactive mitigation or exploitation strategies.
• Lead bid and proposal activities at a senior level, shaping winning strategies and value propositions in collaboration with business development and bid management teams.
• Own and control project budgets , providing accurate financial forecasts, variance analysis, and visibility of risk and opportunity to the executive team.
• Familiarity with defence standards, quality systems, and regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., ISO, AQAP, DEF STAN) is highly desirable.
• Relevant professional qualification (e.g., APM, PRINCE2, PMP) and/or degree in engineering, manufacturing, or related technical discipline.