Senior Project Manager

About Taylor Hobson

Taylor Hobson is a global leader in precision metrology, providing world-class measurement solutions to customers across manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, optics, semiconductor and research sectors. Our products combine advanced mechanics, electronics, optics, firmware, software and data analysis technologies to deliver industry-leading measurement performance.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to join our R&D organisation. This role is responsible for leading the delivery of strategic new product development and technology programmes from concept through to market launch. Working across multidisciplinary teams, the Senior Project Manager provides leadership, governance and direction to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and in line with business objectives.

The role acts as the focal point for programme execution, aligning stakeholders across engineering, operations, quality, product management, manufacturing and commercial functions whilst proactively managing risk, dependencies and organisational priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of complex new product development and technology programmes from concept through to market launch.
• Establish project scope, objectives, schedules, budgets and resource requirements, ensuring alignment with business strategy.
• Drive cross-functional teams to deliver project milestones, managing dependencies across systems engineering, mechanical, electronics, firmware, software, manufacturing readiness and product launch activities.
• Provide clear governance, reporting and stakeholder management, facilitating timely decision-making and escalation where required.
• Identify, assess and mitigate project risks, ensuring effective recovery plans are implemented when necessary.
• Partner with technical leaders to manage development complexity, integration challenges and product verification activities.
• Coordinate the transition of products from development into manufacturing, including production readiness, supply chain, quality and launch planning.
• Monitor and control project performance against cost, schedule, quality and business objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement in project delivery processes, tools and governance practices.
• Mentor and support project team members while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and high performance.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Physics, Science, Business or a related discipline, or equivalent industrial experience.
• Significant experience leading complex product development programmes within scientific instrumentation, medical devices, aerospace, semiconductor equipment, robotics, automation, metrology or other high-technology environments
• Proven track record delivering successful New Product Introduction (NPI) programmes from concept through commercial launch.
• Demonstrated success delivering multidisciplinary projects involving mechanical, electrical/electronic, firmware and software development.
• Strong understanding of new product introduction (NPI), product development lifecycles and stage-gate governance processes.
• Proven experience managing project budgets, schedules, resources, risks and stakeholder expectations.
• Experience influencing technical and business decisions at all levels.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to balance customer, business and technical objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence in matrix organisations.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to use AI tools to improve productivity, decision-marking, work quality, and to reduce costs. The successful candidate must be able to identify appropriate AI use cases and critically evaluate AI-generated outputs.

Desirable Experience

• Understanding of systems engineering, requirements management and verification & validation.
• Experience within precision instrumentation, optics, motion control or measurement systems.
• Experience managing globally distributed teams and external development partners.
• Familiarity with Agile, Hybrid Agile and traditional product development.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and 28 days holiday including Easter & Christmas
• Mentoring and guidance for accreditation – IMechE, MIET, CPhy
• Continuous training provided using world class manufacturing tools and equipment
• 1pm Friday finish
• Supportive working environment
• Perkbox – corporate discounts, GP service & 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme
• Active sports and social club including annual Christmas party and social events
• Free onsite parking and easy access to the city centre
• Note: For external candidates we will add note that CV's will be shared with external recruitment agency for first level assessment.