Project Manager, IRIS2 Industrialization

The job responsibilities outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may evolve over time and be reviewed according to business needs.

ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

• The Operations Project Manager leads the end-to-end development of satellite manufacturing facilities. This role is responsible for managing factory construction and industrialization projects from contract signature through to full operational readiness.
• The ideal candidate combines strong industrial project management expertise with hands-on experience in automotive and aerospace manufacturing environments, and has the technical capability to optimize production layouts, equipment footprint, and operational flows.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULT AREAS

End-to-End Project Management

• Lead the full lifecycle of factory construction and setup:
  • From contract signature and design phase
  • Through construction, installation, and commissioning
  • To production readiness (Start of Production - SOP)
• Define project scope, deliverables, timelines, and budgets
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and aerospace standards
• Coordinate internal stakeholders and external contractors ensuring the compliance to the engineering, manufacturing, security and HSE requirements
• Collaborate with engineering teams on:
  • Product & Process Engineering
  • Facility infrastructure (power, HVAC, ESD, etc.)
  • Production workflows and capacity planning
• Risk & Issue Management
  • Proactively identify programme risks (technical, industrial, supply chain) and implement mitigation strategies.
  • Manage critical dependencies across parallel workstreams.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting
  • Implement robust project tracking mechanisms (KPIs, dashboards).
  • Provide regular, high-quality reporting to senior management and external stakeholders.
  • Drive continuous improvement in execution and delivery performance.

Industrialization & Production Readiness

• Ensure all equipment and production lines are installed, qualified, and ready for operations
• Lead ramp-up planning and transition to production teams

Stakeholder & Contractor Management

• Manage relationships with:
  • Construction companies
  • Equipment suppliers
  • Engineering and Process partners
• Lead project governance, reporting, and risk management

COMPETENCIES

• Factory layout design and optimization
• Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and Lean Manufacturing tools
• Budgeting, scheduling, and risk management tools
• Strong leadership and cross-functional coordination
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects
• High attention to detail and quality
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Adaptability in fast-paced, high-tech environments
• Strong understanding of:
  • Industrial production systems and processes
  • Aerospace or space system lifecycle
  • Configuration management and quality assurance in regulated environments
• Project management methodologies (PMI, PRINCE2, Agile hybrid) is a plus

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in Industrial engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.
• 5-10+ years of experience in industrial project management
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken (mandatory)
• Fluent in French, both written and spoken (mandatory)
• German is a strong plus
• Any other European Language is considered an asset
• Proven track record in:
  • Factory construction or major industrial facility setup
  • Production line installation and industrialization
• Experience in both:
  • Automotive industry (high-volume, lean manufacturing)
  • Aerospace industry (high-quality, precision, regulatory environment)
• Experience in satellite manufacturing or space industry is a strong advantage

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS / COMMENTS

• The candidate must be eligible for a “SECRET” security clearance, in accordance with the national regulations as well as EU/ESA/NATO equivalents
• Willing to work 60% onsite from office
• Travel as required for project realization purposes