Job Description

Project Manager (Aerospace Software Engineering) - Hybrid Lisbon or Coimbra (3 days/week office)

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Join a Portuguese aerospace engineering company that develops software and engineering solutions for critical systems used in some of the world's most advanced aviation, space, and defense programs. Operating from offices in Coimbra and Lisbon, this is a chance to lead large, highly technical engineering teams on programs where precision and rigor genuinely matter.

PROJECT & CONTEXT

This role will be associated with one or more software development projects in a highly technical and critical aeronautical context. You will accompany engineering teams throughout the full project lifecycle, from planning through to final delivery, ensuring rigorous execution aligned with defined objectives. You'll be responsible for tracking progress objectively through metrics, indicators, and concrete evidence rather than relying solely on verbal team reporting, while managing risks, issues, dependencies, and deviations from plan.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR (Required)

• Solid experience planning and following complex software projects
• Experience managing large engineering teams, ideally 20-30 people or more
• Ability to monitor progress objectively through metrics, indicators, and concrete evidence
• Strong risk, issue, dependency, and plan-deviation management
• Experience controlling scope changes and their impact on planning, cost, and timelines
• Experience maintaining project plans, schedules, and baselines
• Use of formal Project Management practices, including Earned Value Management, CPI, and SPI
• People management experience — performance reviews, career development, coaching, hiring, or people-management decision-making — as a core part of the role
• B2 English (Upper Intermediate) or above

NICE TO HAVE (Preferred)

• Background in aeronautical, aerospace, space, or defense software programs
• Formal Project Management certification (PMP or equivalent)
• Experience working within safety-critical or highly regulated software development environments

Budget: 70k gross year