Senior Engineering Project Manager

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: Band F (S1) £67,409 per annum 

Hours: Full-Time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

Contract Type: Open-Ended

Location: UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians, and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it is sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you are surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn, and empowered to explore your curiosity.

About the Role

The UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) is the national centre for the design and production of world-leading astronomical instruments and systems in the United Kingdom. As a science-driven, professional engineering organisation, we employ state-of-the-art technology across all engineering disciplines, including complex optical and infra-red detectors, vacuum-cryogenics, control electronics and software, for both astronomy and non-astronomy applications, in collaboration with academic and industrial partners across the globe.  Find out more about what we do here UK Astronomy Technology Centre​ – UKATC.

To support our exciting astronomy programme, the UK Astronomy Technology Centre in Edinburgh is seeking a Senior Engineering Project Manager to lead and drive the development and delivery of complex astronomical instruments that will transform our understanding of the universe. 

You will specifically manage the UK-led HARMONI (High Angular Resolution Monolithic Optical and Near-infrared Integral field spectrograph) instrument project.  HARMONI is being developed in Edinburgh, working closely with both UK and international partners. HARMONI is a powerful and versatile instrument destined for the Extremely Large Telescope in Chile, where it will enable astronomers to study many different astronomical targets, from distant galaxies, energetic quasars, and gamma-ray bursts to individual stars in nearby galaxies and exoplanets in the Milky Way. 

Working alongside engineers, scientists and technicians, and working day-to-day with the Head of Engineering Delivery, this role will involve managing technical teams, schedule development, budgetary control, risk management and management of subcontracts. 

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the overall HARMONI project, overseeing the work at UK ATC and with participating UK and international collaborators.
• Working closely with the Work Package Managers and other Institute Project Managers to ensure they are able to deliver the required scope to time and budget.
• Managing the delivery by confirming the design baseline and ensuring that the appropriate change management control processes are established and adhered to across the project.
• Managing the quality and safety aspects of the project using established standards and procedures.

Shortlisting Criteria

(Please note the criteria below will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated)

• Degree in a technical, engineering or science-based subject or equivalent relevant experience. (S)
• High technical awareness and problem-solving capability: past experience working in an engineering discipline; adept at working in a multi-project, multi-disciplinary, technical environment. (S&I)
• Professional experience as a project manager gained from leading at least one large technology-based project, involving collaborative work with international partners.  (S&I)
• Expertise across all areas of project management practice, including project set-up, schedule management, risk analysis, financial control and sub-contract management. (I)
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, organisational and presentational skills.  (S&I)
• Experience of working on collaborative projects involving international partners. (S&I)
• People leadership skills. (S&I)
• Well-developed influencing and negotiating skills. (I)

Employee Benefits:

We are offering an open-ended contract with a whole host of benefits including:

• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days)
• Flexible working hours
• An excellent average salary pension scheme
• Employee shopping/travel discounts
• Learning and development opportunities

 Link to more benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/

 We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, and business-support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. 

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what is possible!

 Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact [email protected]. 

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.  For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.