Product Delivery Manager
Location: Reading, UK | Valid SC clearance is mandatory.
6-months contract - Hybrid
We are seeking a Product Delivery Manager to join our Defence client, owning the delivery and continuous improvement of Safety digital capabilities.
The successful candidate will define and deliver reference architectures and technical baselines for Safety digital solutions, ensuring traceability from safety objectives and requirements through architecture, analysis, test, verification, and compliance evidence. This role requires working across complex, multi-partner programmes, translating business and engineering needs into a clear capability roadmap and prioritized backlog.
Key Responsibilities:
* Define and bring into service reference architectures and technical baselines for safety-critical digital solutions.
* Lead processes including model-based hazard analysis, safety assessment, safety requirements management, configuration/change control, variant/feature management, verification & validation orchestration, test-data management, and evidence capture for safety/assurance cases.
* Translate business and engineering needs into actionable capability roadmaps and ensure delivery of end-to-end traceability.
* Manage multi-partner and supplier integration within complex programmes and distributed teams.
* Ensure interoperability with enterprise platforms and alignment with regulatory frameworks.
Essential Qualifications & Experience:
* Degree in Systems Engineering, Engineering (Mechanical/Electrical/Aerospace), Safety Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline.
* Service Management certification (e.g., ITIL) or equivalent experience in critical engineering services.
* Project/Programme Management certification (e.g., APM, PRINCE2, SAFe/Agile) or demonstrable experience managing complex safety delivery environments.
* Minimum 10 years’ experience delivering Safety capabilities: hazard analysis, safety requirements engineering, safety architecture & independence, verification & validation, safety case development, and evidence management.
* Proven experience in Aerospace/Defence or other regulated, safety-critical industries, with understanding of relevant frameworks (e.g., ARP4754A, ARP4761A, DO-178C/DO-254, IEC 61508, ISO 26262, MIL-STD-882E).
* Strong knowledge of model-based safety engineering and enabling digital threads across requirements, architecture, analysis, test, and compliance evidence.
* Strong financial and resource management capabilities, including planning, budgeting, and cost control for digital engineering initiatives.
Desirable Skills:
* Experience with safety/assurance case tooling, Product Line Engineering, variant/feature management, IBM DOORS NG, and integration platforms.
* Familiarity with Agile/SAFe delivery, supplier management, and global configuration strategies.
* Practical knowledge of digital continuity, interoperability standards, and secure engineering practices.