Programme Manager

Coven Heath
2 weeks ago
Create job alert

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.

What do we offer?

Competitive salary
Company performance bonus scheme
Pension scheme - up to 10% employer contribution
Private medical insurance
Comprehensive health cash plan
25 days annual leave + bank holidays
Flexible benefits programme (buy & sell holiday allowance, discounted gym memberships, Maternity/ adoption leave- up to 52 weeks, first 26 weeks at full pay, subsequent 26 at 50% (basic pay) and Paternity/Non-Pregnant Parent/ Co-adopter leave 4 weeks full pay)
Structured training & opportunities to progress

What does the role look like?

We have an exciting opportunity for a Programme Manager to join our Civil Value Stream. This role will lead complex, regulated aerospace programmes with a strong focus on New Product Introduction (NPI) and the industrialisation of products into high-volume manufacturing cells.

You will play a critical role in driving programme delivery while embedding manufacturing engineering initiatives that improve efficiency, cost competitiveness and overall manufacturing excellence.

What will your day-to-day responsibilities look like?

Lead multi-disciplinary Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) to deliver contracted programme objectives.
Act as the primary customer interface, ensuring contractual delivery and building strong, long-term relationships.
Manage NPI programmes in line with business policies, procedures and gated review processes.
Embed manufacturing engineering initiatives to:
Support industrialisation of new products into high-volume aerospace production cells
Improve cost competitiveness through process optimisation and lean practices
Ensure strong alignment between design, engineering and manufacturing teams
Ensure robust programme governance, including:
Financial performance and reporting (Earned Value Management - BAC/EAC)
Risk, issue and change management
Project planning, controls and resource management
Stakeholder and senior leadership engagement
Implement and maintain the Business Management System across assigned programmes.
Support customer and senior management programme reviews, providing clear status and performance updates.
Track and report Key Project Indicators through Tier Reviews and other business processes.
Champion continuous improvement and manufacturing excellence using structured methodologies.What will you bring to the role?

Essential skills:

Proven experience delivering complex NPI programmes with strong project planning and control capability.
Demonstrated leadership and accountability within regulated aerospace or defence environments.
Strong understanding of manufacturing engineering principles and their role in industrialisation and cost competitiveness.

Desirable skills:

Financial management experience, including Earned Value Management.
Strong customer focus with the ability to influence and build trusted relationships.
Experience embedding lean manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives.
Creative problem-solving skills with confident and influential communication.
A collaborative mindset with a passion for ownership, teamwork and delivering results

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Project and Enterprise Risk Manager

Project Controls Analyst

Senior Project Engineer

Avionics Test Technician

Avionics Test Technician

Nuclear Engineering Manager – Submarines

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many Space Industry Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a UK Space Job?

If you’re pursuing a career in the space industry — whether that’s spacecraft engineering, mission operations, space software, satellite systems, ground segment integration or space data analytics — it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of tools, platforms and technologies mentioned in job adverts. One role wants experience with CAD and FEA software. Another asks for experience with GNSS simulation. A third mentions mission scheduling tools, RF link analysis suites, Python, C++, continuous integration — and it seems there’s always another acronym to learn. With so much listed, many candidates fall into the trap of thinking they must master every tool under the sun before they’ll be taken seriously. Here’s the honest truth most UK space hiring managers won’t say out loud: 👉 They don’t hire you because you’ve heard of every tool — they hire you because you can apply the right tools to solve real space problems, explain your reasoning clearly, and deliver results. Tools matter, but they always serve a purpose: achieving mission goals, improving reliability, reducing risk, delivering data, or enabling collaboration. Tools are enablers — not trophies. So how many tools do you actually need to know to get a space job? The answer is much fewer and far more strategic than you might think. This article breaks down: what tools employers really expect which ones are core across most space roles which ones are role-specific how to present your tool proficiency on your CV and in interviews

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Space Sector Job Applications (UK Guide)

The space industry is one of the most exciting and multidisciplinary sectors in technology and engineering today. Whether you’re applying for roles in spacecraft design, aerospace systems, robotics, satellite communications, mission operations, payload engineering, space software, ground systems, or scientific research, your application must quickly show hiring managers that you are relevant, technically credible and ready to deliver. In the UK space jobs market — spanning organisations from startups to defence primes, agencies, research labs and commercial constellations — hiring managers do not read every word of your CV. They scan applications rapidly, often making a judgement about whether to read further within the first 10–20 seconds. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers look for first in space sector applications, how they assess CVs and portfolios, why specific signals matter, and how you can position your experience to stand out on www.ukspacejobs.co.uk .

The Skills Gap in UK Space Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

The UK space sector is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing high-tech industries in the world. From Earth observation and satellite communications to space robotics, launch systems and deep-space exploration, the breadth of opportunity is enormous. The UK Government’s ambition to capture a significant share of the global space economy has driven investment, policy support and a wave of innovative companies — both established and start-up. Yet despite strong academic programmes and a pipeline of graduates with relevant degrees, employers in the UK space sector consistently report a persistent problem: Many graduates are not prepared for real-world space industry jobs. This is not a matter of intelligence or motivation. Rather, it reflects a growing skills gap between what universities are teaching and what employers actually need from space professionals. In this article, we’ll explore why that gap exists, what universities are doing well, where they fall short, what employers want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build thriving careers in the UK space sector.