Project Manager; Leading to Programme Manager

Project Manager (Leading to Programme Manager) Weymouth Salary: Competitive Job Type: Permanent

About Us

Solsta’s Design & Manufacturing Division specialises in the development and production of advanced optoelectronic and photonic systems for biomedical and diagnostic instrumentation, defence electro‑optical applications, and laser rangefinder (LRF) technologies. We partner with OEMs across the UK, Europe, and North America to design, prototype, validate, and manufacture complex assemblies that demand precision, reliability, and deep technical understanding.

Our capabilities span optoelectronic module design, sensor integration, laser systems, optical packaging, and full NPD/NPI execution under ISO
13485‑aligned processes. Customers rely on us to translate challenging technical requirements into manufacturable, high‑performance solutions.

Solsta is also a major distributor of electronic components and systems, giving the wider Group a strong market presence. However, the Design & Manufacturing Division operates a distinct commercial and technical model, focused on customer‑funded development programmes rather than catalogue‑based distribution. You will be joining this specialist engineering‑led division, working closely with customers developing next‑generation biomedical devices, diagnostic platforms, defence systems, and LRF technologies.

The Role

Reporting to the Commercial Manager – Manufacturing, you will manage a portfolio of customer‑funded design projects within Solsta’s Design & Manufacturing Division. You will ensure structured, compliant, and efficient delivery of projects through the full lifecycle, maintaining governance of the ISO
13485‑aligned NPD/NPI process in collaboration with the Chief Engineer.

You will coordinate cross‑functional engineering teams, manage risks, maintain project discipline, and ensure smooth transition into manufacturing. This role is essential to enabling the Commercial Manager to focus on commercial strategy and business growth.

As the division expands, this role offers a clear pathway to Programme Manager, with responsibility for multi‑project oversight, resource planning, and portfolio‑level governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full project lifecycle from initiation to completion, ensuring adherence to schedule, budget, scope, and quality requirements.
• Maintain and enforce the ISO
  13485‑aligned NPD and NPI processes, ensuring all projects follow defined design controls, documentation standards, and stage‑gate requirements.
• Lead project planning activities, including scope definition, scheduling, resource planning, and risk management.
• Monitor progress, identify risks and issues, and implement mitigation strategies to maintain delivery performance.
• Provide clear, structured reporting to the Commercial Manager and senior stakeholders, including KPIs, risks, dependencies, and recommendations.

• Coordinate cross‑functional teams (design, electronics, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, supply chain) to ensure effective communication and seamless project execution.
• Support technical reviews, validation activities, and readiness assessments prior to release into manufacturing.
• Ensure all project documentation meets ISO
  13485, internal quality procedures, and customer expectations.
• Influence engineering teams to maintain momentum and deliverables without performing engineering tasks directly.

• Work with the Commercial Manager to prioritise the project portfolio, balancing resources across concurrent projects.
• Maintain programme‑level visibility of capacity, dependencies, and constraints.
• Support continuous improvement of project governance, reporting, and PMO‑style processes.
• Act as a primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, managing expectations and building strong relationships.
• Support customer‑funded development activities, ensuring commercial and technical requirements are clearly understood and delivered.
• Provide structured updates to customers where required.
• Represent Solsta D&M professionally at customer sites, reviews, and technical meetings.

Skills &…