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Archangel Lightworks is a laser communications company building wireless technology for space-to-ground data transfer. Founded in 2017 and recently closed a Series A funding round of over £10 million, the company develops optical ground stations (TERRA-M) and related products to advance critical national infrastructure security and resilience. The company is supported by the UK Space Agency, Department of Science and Technology, and Ministry of Defence.
As Senior Project Manager for Optical Communications, you will oversee internal and external projects spanning R&D activities for the flagship Optical Ground Station and international test campaigns. You will report to and collaborate closely with the Programme Manager and Engineering Manager to ensure successful execution of the development portfolio on time, within scope, and within budget.
Key responsibilities include:
- Manage assigned product developments and projects to specified scope, timeline, and budget, collaborating with growing PM and Engineering teams
- Translate technical requirements into clear project scopes and plans in collaboration with the engineering team
- Work with Technical Leads to keep Product Development Plans aligned with technical task backlogs; provide inputs to Programme and Portfolio level controls
- Proactively identify and manage project risks, interdependencies, and their impact on timelines and cross-functional work streams
- Monitor and control project finances and forecasts; provide inputs to Programme and Company level financial tracking, including proactive identification of forecast issues
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers and customers (commercial and quasi-governmental organizations)
- Coordinate and participate in formal documentation review and change control processes
- Work collaboratively with the PM team to ensure alignment across the development portfolio
The role is based in Osney Mead, Oxford, with hybrid flexibility as agreed with your line manager. Periodic business travel may be required.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Minimum 5 years demonstrable full-lifecycle product development experience in Hardware and/or Software within an R&D-heavy organisation, preferably deep tech or space sector
- Familiarity with stage-gate development processes and product development cycles, from R&D through to production handover
- Stakeholder management experience with commercial and quasi-governmental organisations (e.g., Space/Aerospace Primes, Innovate UK, UKSA, ESA) as both suppliers and customers
- Experience with control of project finances, including development forecasts and claim & audit processes with public funding bodies
- Qualification/accreditation in project management, OR equivalent extensive and relevant project management experience, OR completion of a recognized project management apprenticeship supplemented by relevant industry experience
Desirable additional skills (one or more highly beneficial):
- Start-up/scale-up environment experience, including managing resource and project priorities in constrained environments
- Domain knowledge in ground segment, satellite systems, laser communication technology, or optical systems
- Knowledge of ground station and network operations deployment within the Space Communications sector
- Experience with development of communication systems on maritime and drone-based platforms, preferably optical
- Experience working in an engineering agile environment (company operates Agile processes on daily-to-weekly basis underpinned by long-term waterfall plans)
- Experience with contractual negotiation, particularly multi-party legal and IP agreements
The company offers competitive salary and benefits package with equity options, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative culture.
