Programme Manager UK – Land

Overview

In this role you drive end-to-end technical programme delivery for Helsing’s Land domain, coordinating across engineering, commercial and operational teams to keep schedules and risks in check. You manage customer relationships, support commercial opportunities, and ensure compliance with defence standards and entry/exit criteria. You lead live trials, safety cases and supplier management, translating technical progress into clear leadership reporting. You join a mission-driven, ethically conscious team pushing high-impact defence innovations.

Pay / Benefits

• Competitive salary
• VSOP options
• Relocation support
• Learning allowance
• Health & wellness benefits
• Regular company events and social allowances

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end technical programme delivery with master schedules and milestone tracking
• Navigate MoD gated reviews (DE&S, CADMID, ASG) and ensure criteria are met
• Plan and lead live trials, range tests, and field demonstrations with cross-functional support
• Oversee Safety Case management and environmental qualification efforts (Def Stan 00-035, MIL-STD-810)
• Manage Tier 1/2 hardware subcontractors and suppliers, ensuring on-time delivery and ITAR/Export Control compliance
• Maintain risk and opportunity registers, identify bottlenecks, implement mitigation actions
• Provide data-driven progress reporting and dashboards to senior leadership and technical stakeholders
• Coordinate with internal engineering, commercial, and operations to pull in right capabilities
• Support commercial outreach by identifying opportunities and engaging customers
• Maintain documentation and reporting across complex defence programmes
• Work with security clearance requirements and travel to trials/sites

Key requirements

• Proven experience delivering into UK defence programmes, with hardware or hybrid hardware/software delivery on Programmes of Record
• Deep knowledge of the UK MoD Acquisition Lifecycle (CADMID, ASG, DE&S reviews)
• Experience leading live trials, field demonstrations, or range tests in defence environments
• Exposure to Defence Safety Case management and environmental standards (Def Stan 00-035, MIL-STD-810)
• Experience managing complex supplier networks (Tier 1/2) with ITAR and UK Export Control awareness
• Structured project management approach with detailed schedules and risk frameworks
• Active UK Security Clearance (SC) or eligible and willing to undergo vetting
• Fluent English, willing to travel regularly to trials, ranges, and supplier sites
• Nice to have: defence procurement exposure, Agile/hybrid PM, AI/edge/embedded software, formal PM accreditation

• Stakeholder management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Clear and data-driven communication
• Structured project management (schedules, Gantt charts, critical path)
• Risk management and mitigation frameworks
• Safety Case management

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