Project Manager – Mission Systems Engineering

We’re creating the UK’s next-generation engineering powerhouse, delivering critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience.

We turn advances in sensing, AI and communications into operational capability at the edge, where connectivity may be limited or unavailable. Our work accelerates technology deployment, improves frontline decision-making, and protects people and critical assets in demanding environments.

Based in Bristol, Rowden employs around 200 people and operates more than 20,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing facilities. With a growing international presence, we are one of Europe’s fastest-growing engineering businesses.

The role

We are seeking an experienced, delivery-focused Project Manager to play a pivotal role in the leadership, delivery, and governance of a complex systems integration project. This role requires an individual who is highly self-directed, exceptionally proactive, and comfortable operating at pace in a dynamic, ambiguous and complex stakeholder environment.

This role is not for someone who requires tightly defined tasks or close direction to operate effectively.

You’ll be joining a high-impact team working with passionate colleagues to deliver a step change in capability for our customer. The role offers the chance to see the direct impact of your work, collaborating closely with end users to solve real problems.

Key areas of responsibility What you’ll be doing

• Own the day-to-day delivery of a complex systems integration project, ensuring progress against agreed milestones, budgets, and outcomes. This is not a helicopter role, you'll be getting stuck in with your team to ensure delivery is successful. • Own contract scope and manage the commercial landscape across the project. Your team will look to you to ensure we are operating within the commercial boundaries whilst maximising delivery impact. • Translate high-level project outcomes into actionable delivery plans, workstreams, and outputs whilst identifying and communicating both internal and external dependencies. • Drive alignment across business, engineering, and third-party delivery teams with differing priorities and perspectives, managing interdependencies. • Anticipate and identify delivery risks and issues early, proactively shaping mitigation strategies rather than reacting late. • Establish and run effective project governance, including steering forums, status reporting, RAID management, and decision tracking. • Produce clear, concise, and decision-oriented reporting for senior stakeholders and sponsors. • Maintain strong financial and delivery discipline, ensuring scope, cost, and timelines are actively controlled. • Organise and mobilise busy senior stakeholders, ensuring the right conversations happen at the right time. • Escalate issues, concerns and risks to the appropriate level at the right time. This includes knowing when to ask for direction and guidance. • Act as a trusted delivery partner to sponsors, providing clear recommendations and honest assessments of progress and risk. • Bring structure to ambiguity and create clarity where requirements, ownership, or sequencing are not yet fully defined. • Push momentum, challenge inertia, and keep delivery moving forward in complex environments. This role is based at our Bristol HQ with hybrid working. Expect frequent travel around the UK and some overseas travel. Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance.