Technical Programme Manager - Naval Ship Design

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Company Description

Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK's defence, energy and maritime ambitions. We're doing this by creating state-of-the-art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation's energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state-owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. By combining Harland & Wolff's proud heritage and facilities with Navantia's global expertise, Navantia UK is well-positioned to strengthen Britain's defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.

Job Description

Technical Programme Manager
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Company: Navantia UK

About Navantia UK

Navantia UK is part of the global Navantia Group, a world leader in naval ship design, marine technology, and defence services. Based in Bristol, we specialise in delivering advanced, integrated maritime design solutions for the naval sector. As our portfolio of UK-based design programmes expands, we are seeking an experienced Technical Programme Manager to lead the successful delivery of complex naval ship design projects.

This role is offered on a fulltime basis, but we also welcome applications from candidates with the right skills who are interested in parttime working.

The Opportunity

Join a dynamic team at the forefront of naval innovation, contributing to the design of advanced maritime vessels. We are looking for a capable and technically proficient Technical Programme Manager to manage naval & government ship design programmes against demanding timescales. This role involves managing multidisciplinary teams, defining scopes of work, working with subcontractors and partners, and ensuring high-quality, on-time delivery against demanding technical and contractual requirements.

This is an excellent opportunity to take a leading role in shaping cutting-edge naval and government platforms while contributing to the future of UK maritime defence capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of ship design projects working closely with the assigned design manager / technical lead(s), ensuring quality, timeliness, and budgetary control.

• Manage resourcing demand across design and product development team and identify recruitment needs and subcontractor support.

• Define, document, and manage scopes of work across internal teams and subcontractors, ensuring alignment with client and contractual requirements.

• Manage subcontractor selection, onboarding, performance, and deliverables, ensuring integration with the overall project plan.

• Develop cost estimates for design development and innovation projects.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive project schedules, risk registers, and cost tracking tools.

• Monitor and report on progress, identifying issues early and driving resolution to maintain project objectives.

• Coordinate cross-functional internal and external teams including naval architecture, marine engineering and transversal engineering.

• Engage with clients, classification societies, subcontractors, and other stakeholders.

• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, and internal quality processes and procedures.

• Support commercial capture team by contributing to proposals, bids, and overall programme planning.

• Manage assigned technical project managers (if required).

What We're Looking For

• Degree in relevant subject or equivalent qualifications in project/programme management or engineering with significant project management experience.

• Proven experience managing engineering design projects, ideally ship design/building within a defence or MOD environment.

• Experience of defining and controlling scopes of work, developing robust schedules, and managing subcontracted work packages.

• Demonstrated ability to manage external suppliers and subcontractors effectively, from tendering to delivery.

• Bid management experience, ability to develop management plans and proposals for winning tenders.

• Experience working with multidisciplinary engineering teams and delivering technical programmes to high standards.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead discussions with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Competency in project management tools and methodologies.

• The candidate will be subject to BPSS security checks. The ability to gain higher level SC clearance may be required depending on specific project requirements.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary and benefits package.

• Hybrid working, with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office depending on project needs.

• Opportunities for career growth and development within a global organization.

• The chance to lead strategic naval and government maritime design programmes for UK and international clients.

• A collaborative and inclusive workplace where your contributions will make a direct impact.

How to Apply

If you're a technically minded project professional ready to lead complex naval design programmes and manage multidisciplinary teams and subcontractors, we want to hear from you! Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this role.

Closing Date: [Insert Date]

Navantia UK is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Qualifications

Additional Information

We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination.

We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at people.skills@harland-wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.