About the Company
Our client is a leading European space and aerospace technology group, developing and delivering advanced satellite systems and mission-critical technologies for institutional and commercial customers.
The company is involved in complex European space and Defence programs, where technical excellence, reliability, security, and successful delivery are critical.
For a major program in the field of reconnaissance and early-warning systems, we are looking for an experienced (Senior) Project Manager – Satellite Systems to take responsibility for the successful delivery of a major satellite development program.
The Role
As (Senior) Project Manager – Satellite Systems, you will take a central project leadership position within a large-scale and highly complex Defence and space program.
You will be responsible for managing the satellite-system project and act as the primary interface between the customer, internal engineering and management teams, suppliers, and subcontractors.
Working within a complex matrix organisation, you will define project objectives, establish schedules and budget allocations, coordinate project execution, and ensure that contractual, technical, cost, and schedule commitments are met.
The position combines large-scale project management, technical understanding, team leadership, customer interaction, and commercial responsibility. You will work closely with senior stakeholders while leading and developing the multidisciplinary project team responsible for delivering the satellite system.
Your Responsibilities
- Take responsibility for the successful management and delivery of a complex satellite-system development project
- Act as the primary project interface toward the customer, suppliers, subcontractors, and the wider corporate organisation
- Define project objectives in close collaboration with the customer and senior company management, taking the overall corporate strategy into account
- Ensure the correct definition of the technical baseline for the systems and items to be developed, manufactured, and delivered
- Ensure alignment between customer requirements, technical scope, schedule, and cost
- Define and maintain the overall project schedule based on contractual commitments and project milestones
- Define and implement the project budget allocation and ensure effective financial control throughout project execution
- Monitor project progress and ensure adherence to schedule, budget, technical, and contractual objectives
- Build, lead, support, and develop the multidisciplinary project team
- Provide functional and/or disciplinary leadership to project team members
- Coordinate activities across internal departments and ensure effective collaboration between engineering, project functions, management, and other business units
- Establish and agree on sub-project arrangements and responsibilities with relevant business unit managers
- Regularly report on project status, progress, risks, budget, and key issues to relevant internal and external stakeholders
- Identify and resolve project challenges and conflicts, driving decisions and corrective actions where required
- Maintain effective communication and alignment between the customer, project team, suppliers, subcontractors, and senior management
Your Profile
- University degree in Aerospace Engineering or a comparable technical discipline
- Strong technical understanding, ideally related to satellite systems, spacecraft development, or complex aerospace systems
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience, including leadership responsibility and the management of large-scale technical projects
- Proven experience managing major projects involving the development of satellites or satellite systems
- Strong track record of managing complex projects involving multiple engineering disciplines, internal stakeholders, suppliers, and subcontractors
- Experience working within complex matrix organisations and multidisciplinary project environments
- Strong understanding of the relationship between technical scope, customer requirements, budget, schedule, and contractual commitments
- Excellent project planning, organisation, and execution skills
- Strong analytical capabilities and a highly entrepreneurial and commercially aware mindset
- Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills
- Strong conflict-resolution and problem-solving capabilities
- High level of assertiveness and the ability to drive decisions in complex project environments
- Highly organised, structured, and reliable approach to work
- Confident, professional, and persuasive communication style
- Proven ability to lead, develop, and coordinate multidisciplinary project teams
Experience managing complex projects within the space sector and satellite development is particularly relevant. Candidates should be comfortable operating at the interface between technical teams, customers, suppliers, senior management, and commercial stakeholders.
What’s Offered
- A senior project leadership role within a major European Defence and space program
- Responsibility for the delivery of a complex satellite system within a reconnaissance and early-warning program
- High level of ownership across project scope, schedule, budget, technical delivery, and stakeholder management
- Opportunity to lead and develop a multidisciplinary project team working on highly advanced satellite technology
- Direct interaction with major institutional and Defence customers, suppliers, subcontractors, and senior management
- Exposure to some of the most complex and strategically important satellite programs in Europe
- Collaboration with experienced engineering, Systems Engineering, program management, and specialist technical teams
- Hybrid working model, depending on project and operational requirements
- Location in Bremen or Weßling near Munich
- Long-term career opportunities within the European space, aerospace, and Defence sector
