R&D Project Manager
Edinburgh or Orkney (hybrid working)
About Orbital
Orbital Marine Power is a visionary Scottish renewable energy company focused on the global application of its pioneering floating turbine technology that can supply predictable power from tidal streams and ocean currents, every day, regardless of the weather. The technology has already been proven at full scale, with the company operating the world's most powerful tidal turbine since July 2021. This provides invaluable operational insight while clearly demonstrating the technology's commercial viability. With global interest in tidal energy accelerating, Orbital is expanding its team to support larger-scale manufacture, multi‑turbine delivery and the next stage of commercial growth.
The company recently secured an additional £7m investment and won a major new project in Canada that will see at least six turbines deployed in one of the world's most promising locations for tidal energy generation. Orbital enters this next phase with strong momentum and a clear pathway to larger deployments and long‑term expansion.
What this role is about
Orbital is delivering three major Horizon Europe R&D programmes — Forward 2030, MaxBlade, and EuroTides — and this role focuses on the technical management of MaxBlade and EuroTides. You will work closely with Orbital's Programme Manager and technical engineering teams to help convert grant obligations into structured delivery plans, ensuring work packages are clearly defined, resourced and delivered to scope.
It suits someone who enjoys coordinating multi‑partner R&D programmes, thrives on structured project delivery, and likes working at the interface between technical engineering disciplines, consortium partners and funding bodies.
What you will be doing
Owning the day‑to‑day deliver plans for MaxBlade and EuroTides and converting EU requirements into clear internal actions.
Maintaining scope, schedule, budget and resourcing baselines, and driving delivery through action tracking and early issue escalation.
Managing change control and ensuring impacts and decisions are captured.
Coordinating technical inputs across mechanical, electrical, controls and hydrodynamics teams, ensuring work is well‑sequenced and aligned with partners.
Supporting decisions through clear analysis of options, trade‑offs and risks.
Managing Work Package budgets and burn rate, coordinating internal resources and overseeing external consultants to ensure quality delivery.
Coordinating partner contributions, managing dependencies and supporting meetings, minutes and action tracking.
Managing technical deliverables and progress summaries to support grant reporting and audits.
Supporting new grant applications and early‑stage R&D planning, ensuring alignment with engineering priorities.
Maintaining risk and issue registers, progressing mitigations and capturing lessons learned to improve future delivery.
What you will bring
A degree or higher qualification in engineering, science, project management or a related field.
Strong fundamentals in planning, scheduling, budgeting and dependency management.
Ability to operate as the "glue" between technical engineering teams and programme administration.
Excellent written communication skills, with experience producing or reviewing structured technical deliverables.
Strong organisational skills, including version control, action tracking and audit‑ready documentation.
Confident communication with both internal teams and external partners.
Useful but not essential:
Experience delivering complex multi‑partner R&D or engineering programmes.
Familiarity with Horizon Europe or similar public funding frameworks.
Experience coordinating academic/industry partner consortia.
Knowledge of offshore/marine engineering delivery environments.
Formal project management training or certification (PRINCE2, APM, PMP).
Strong toolset including MS Project, Excel trackers and structured documentation practices.
Why the role matters and why it's interesting
This is a rare opportunity to help deliver some of Europe's most important marine energy R&D programmes at a pivotal moment in Orbital's growth. You will help shape how innovative engineering concepts progress into validated technologies while managing a complex ecosystem of partners, funders and technical teams.
Your work will support the development of future turbine generations and strengthen Orbital's long‑term engineering capability, all while contributing to a sector with global environmental significance.
Interested in taking things further?
If you want more information or would like to discuss your suitability, please apply or contact Eden Scott in confidence at anita.galbraith Even if you are not actively looking or do not have an updated CV, you are very welcome to get in touch for an initial conversation.
Eden Scott is working exclusively on this appointment. Any direct or 3rd‑party applications to Orbital Marine Power will be directed to Eden Scott for consideration.
Remuneration Package
Orbital offers a competitive salary based on experience, a robust benefits package designed to support the wellbeing, security and long‑term growth of Orbital employees, including private medical care and generous holiday allowance, and excellent opportunities for professional growth as the business continues to expand.