Project Manager - Vehicle Trials - Telford site / hybrid working

RBSL has a unique opportunity to become part of the team developing, integrating and testing the UK’s next Main Battle Tank – Challenger 3. You will become a key part of the Project Management team, leading and executing your own activities to enable the successful delivery of the programme.

The Project Manager – CR3 Vehicle Trials is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and delivery of all vehicle trials activities within the Challenger 3 programme. This includes integration with SIL, DTR, STA, and engineering teams to ensure trials readiness, execution, and reporting.

The role operates with a high degree of autonomy and provides governance, milestone assurance, and resource planning across a complex trials environment. It is accountable for cost, schedule, and risk performance, ensuring delivery discipline and stakeholder alignment. This position is critical to maintaining programme integrity and meeting contractual obligations during a key phase of delivery

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Milestone Assurance

• Track and report progress against key trials milestones (e.g., site readiness, vehicle availability, test execution, data analysis).
• Maintain milestone dashboards and escalate variances with recovery plans.

Schedule Integration

• Build and manage detailed trial schedules in MS Project, integrating dependencies from engineering, procurement, and logistics.
• Conduct weekly schedule reviews and issue look-ahead reports.

Resource Coordination

• Validate resource forecasts for trials teams and suppliers; ensure alignment with forward load planning.
• Approve labour bookings and monitor utilisation against baseline.

Risk Management

• Own the trials risk register; lead monthly reviews and implement mitigation actions.
• Support Schedule Risk Analysis and feed outputs into programme-level risk reporting.

Financial Control

• Monitor trial-related spend (labour, materials, transport); report variances and forecast updates.
• Approve purchase requisitions and ensure compliance with budget constraints.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Chair weekly trials progress meetings with engineering, logistics, and quality leads.
• Act as primary point of contact for DE&S and Army on trials execution status.

Reporting

• Produce monthly trials performance reports for Programme Manager, including KPIs, milestone status, risk position, and cost performance.
• Prepare input for senior governance boards and customer reviews.

Site & Logistics Readiness

• Coordinate facility readiness checks, transport planning, and equipment availability for trials execution.
• Liaise with external suppliers for specialist support and ensure contractual compliance.

Change Control

• Assess impact of scope changes on trials schedule and cost; update baselines in coordination with Project Controls.

Leadership

• Define work packages for Senior Project Professionals and monitor delivery.
• Mentor junior PM staff and support their development.

Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate must have, or be able to attain, full Security Clearance. Therefore, you must have a minimum of 5 years UK residency. Any applications not meeting this requirement will be rejected.

 

• Proven experience in project management within engineering, defence, or trials environments.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent apprenticeship.
• Recognised PM qualification (APM PMQ or equivalent desirable).
• Strong knowledge of project management tools and techniques, including:
  • Scheduling and dependency management across complex programmes.
  • Risk and issue management.
  • Change control, budgeting, forecasting, and project controls.
• Ability to resolve complex problems and manage conflicting priorities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Familiarity with SAP and project control systems.
• Strong understanding of integrated scheduling and resource planning.
• Key Attributes: attention to detail, strong presentation skills, proactive self-starter.

RBSL strives to be an employer of choice and to foster a culture in which our employees are supported to build a career they can be proud.

Through our contracts to deliver world-class products and support services, we offer great opportunities for personal development and career advancement via specialist technical roles, essential support functions, and broader leadership positions.

In addition, RBSL offer:

• Competitive salaries reviewed each year against market rates
• Annual bonus incentive scheme for all employees
• 37 hours over 4.5 days working week
• Employer pension contributions up to 10%
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Life assurance cover
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Health cash plan
• Salary sacrifice benefits including cycle to work and electric vehicles schemes
• Access to high street and gym discounts and cashback
• Long Service rewards with additional holiday
• Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits
• Private health care
• Free access to onsite gym
• Free onsite car parking

Contact Person: Simon Fletcher

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