Junior Project Manager

Job Description

Location(s): UK, Europe & Africa : UK : Guildford

BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is home to 4,500 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We work collaboratively across 10 countries to collect, connect and understand complex data, so that governments, nation states, armed forces and commercial businesses can unlock digital advantage in the most demanding environments.

Job Title: Junior Project Manager

Location: Guildford (Onsite working)

Who we are

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow – shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space – there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Role Description

We produce advanced electronic and electromechanical products that support the safety, security and resilience of the UK and its allies. Our products are used across cyber security, intelligence and national security domains, and are delivered through a rigorous manufacturing framework to ensure quality, reliability and long-term supportability.

We are looking for a Project Manager (Manufacturing) to join our Manufacturing Engineering team in Guildford. This is an early-career role with real responsibility, suitable for someone looking to build a long-term career in project management, manufacturing operations or engineering delivery.

The role would suit a range of candidates, including:

• An internal project management professional looking for a new assignment
• An engineer considering a move into project delivery or operations
• A graduate or early-career starter looking to develop practical project management skills
• An external junior project manager looking to grow in a complex technical environment

You do not need to be a fully formed project manager from day one. We are looking for someone organised, reliable, motivated and willing to learn. You will receive mentoring, on-the-job training and exposure to experienced engineering, manufacturing and project professionals.

You will help manage the end-to-end delivery of first-off and repeat production builds of complex electronic products. These are typically high-mix, low-volume projects, often with significant revenue value and critical customer deadlines.

Your work will involve coordinating multiple threads of activity across engineering, procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, test, quality and project teams. You will help ensure that requirements, materials, plans, risks, technical issues and delivery commitments are brought together coherently and efficiently.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Planning, coordinating and tracking production builds from order placement through to customer delivery
• Managing a portfolio of low to medium volume production projects
• Maintaining project plans, actions, risks, issues, dependencies and schedules
• Monitoring delivery performance against schedule, cost and quality expectations
• Reporting project status clearly, including progress, risks, blockers, financial position and delivery confidence
• Presenting in regular project and monthly reporting forums
• Working with technical authorities, engineers and manufacturing teams to resolve build issues
• Tracking material availability, stock holdings, component lead times and supply chain constraints
• Supporting the transition of new products into production
• Identifying opportunities to improve cost, quality, lead time, delivery performance and ways of working
• Escalating issues early and constructively when support or decisions are needed

What success looks like

A successful person in this role will:

• Know the current status of their projects and be able to explain it clearly
• Communicate risks, issues and decisions early
• Build trust with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, quality and project teams
• Bring structure, energy and follow-through to complex delivery activity
• Learn quickly and apply that learning consistently
• Help improve how the team plans, communicates and delivers

Essential Requirements

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Strong communication skills, including confidence to speak up and present status clearly in manufacturing environments, team meetings and with senior people.
• Good organisation, attention to detail and follow-through
• Reliability, ownership and a practical problem-solving mindset
• Ability to work with different teams and manage competing priorities
• Willingness to learn project management, manufacturing and engineering processes
• A calm and professional approach when dealing with ambiguity or pressure

Why BAE Systems

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work – this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family – support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive.

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

We welcome applications from all candidates and give full, fair and open consideration to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please
contact our recruitment team to discuss any further support you may need. Connect with us at baesystems.com/connect

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Life at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence

We are embracing Hybrid Working. This means you and your colleagues may be working in different locations, such as from home, another BAE Systems office or client site, some or all of the time, and work might be going on at different times of the day.

By embracing technology, we can interact, collaborate and create together, even when we’re working remotely from one another. Hybrid Working allows for increased flexibility in when and where we work, helping us to balance our work and personal life more effectively, and enhance well-being.

Diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. We are proud to have an organisational culture where employees with varying perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds – the best and brightest minds – can work together to achieve excellence and realise individual and organisational potential.