Senior Project Manager (Aerospace)

Senior Project Manager (Aerospace) job vacancy in Somerset West.

A renowned international aerospace and space systems engineering company is looking for a Senior Project Manager join their team on a full-time permanent basis in the Helderberg Area.

Extremely good package on offer plus internal career advancement opportunities.

Position Overview:

Lead and coordinate the end-to-end development of space payloads, ensuring technical excellence, regulatory compliance, and timely delivery in alignment with mission objectives and organisational strategy.

Position Responsibilities:

• Budget & Resource Control
  • Develop and manage internal budgets for payload development, including procurement of components and test equipment.
  • Monitor internal resource utilization and adjust plans to optimize team performance and cost efficiency.
  • Support internal audits and financial reporting related to project expenditures.
• Cross-Functional Coordination
  • Facilitate effective communication between departments to ensure smooth execution and timely issue resolution.
  • Act as the central point of contact for internal stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Payload Project Planning & Execution
  • Lead the end-to-end planning and execution of payload development projects, from concept through integration and testing.
  • Translate mission requirements into detailed payload development plans, ensuring alignment with technical, schedule, and budget constraints.
  • Coordinate internal design reviews, technical milestones, and readiness assessments.
• Technical Oversight & Risk Management
  • Oversee technical progress of payload subsystems, ensuring compliance with mission specs and interface requirements.
  • Identify and mitigate technical risks early through proactive planning, simulations, and trade-off analyses.
  • Ensure internal adherence to ECSS standards and ESA/NATO/Belgian space compliance frameworks.
• Internal Reporting & Stakeholder Communication
  • Provide regular updates to internal leadership on project status, risks, and mitigation strategies.
  • Prepare internal documentation for design reviews, test campaigns, and integration readiness.
  • Ensure traceability of decisions and maintain a clear audit trail for internal and external stakeholders.
• Quality, Testing & Integration Readiness
  • Coordinate internal payload verification and validation activities, including functional, environmental, and performance testing.
  • Ensure payloads meet internal quality standards before delivery to integration or launch partners.
  • Collaborate with internal AIT teams to ensure smooth handover and integration of payloads into spacecraft platforms.
• Knowledge Management & Continuous Improvement
  • Capture lessons learned from each payload development cycle and feed them into internal process improvements.
  • Promote internal knowledge sharing across projects and teams to build organisational expertise in payload development.
  • Stay informed on emerging payload technologies and propose internal innovation initiatives where applicable.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
• • Encourage innovation in project delivery, leveraging emerging technologies and methodologies.
  • Lead internal initiatives to improve project workflows, documentation standards, and knowledge sharing.
  • Stay informed on industry trends and integrate best practices into internal project management processes.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering or Applied Sciences (with relevant technical specialisation).
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in Aerospace or space systems engineering, Payload development or integration and/or project management in high-tech or regulated industries.
• Only open to South African citizens.

Recommendations (Beneficial, not compulsory):

• Master’s degree (MSc or equivalent) in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline.
• Hands‑on experience with designing, developing, testing, or integrating space payloads, such as optical instruments, communication systems, scientific sensors, or Earth observation equipment.
• Familiarity with payload subsystem interfaces, environmental constraints, and mission‑specific requirements.
• Proven track record of leading complex engineering projects in aerospace, defense, or high‑tech sectors.
• Experience managing project lifecycles, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams (e.g., systems engineering, thermal, mechanical, software, AIT).
• Ability to coordinate internal resources and external suppliers or subcontractors.
• Exposure to ECSS standards, ESA project methodologies, or similar frameworks.
• Understanding of space industry regulations, including export control, cybersecurity, and quality assurance.
• Experience overseeing or participating in payload testing, including functional, environmental (thermal, vibration), and performance validation.
• Familiarity with cleanroom protocols, test facilities, and integration workflows.
• Experience preparing technical documentation, project reports, and internal review materials.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, including engineering leads, finance, and executive leadership.

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