Senior Project Manager Engineering , IRIS2 Programme Office

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

IRIS2 is the new European Union secure satellite constellation. This project is the European Union's answer to the pressing challenges of tomorrow to provide secure connectivity services and enhanced communication capacities to the EU and its Member States as well as to governmental users, private companies and European citizens while ensuring high-speed internet broadband to cope with connectivity dead zones. SES – together with other consortium partners and core members - was selected by European Commission to build and to operate the IRIS2 multi-orbit satellite constellation.  The IRIS2 team enters next project phases and there is a strong need of support for all the activities around service provisioning and products that the system can offer in the future.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

SES is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead and establish the engineering governance framework within the IRIS² program—a major European secure connectivity initiative. The successful candidate will support the Director of Engineering for SES by ensuring that the engineering perimeter of the program operates under a robust governance structure, supporting clear priority management, effective communication, and strategic alignment with the broader program (Program One).

This role will involve close collaboration with multi-disciplinary engineering teams, program management, and executive stakeholders. It may include people management responsibilities and requires a strategic leader with strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULT AREAS

• Governance Framework:

• Design, implement, and maintain an effective governance model for the engineering perimeter within the IRIS² program.

• Define and oversee processes for decision-making, risk management, and issue escalation.

• Ensure governance aligns with the overall Program One objectives and SES’s project management standards.

• Priority & Resource Management:

• Establish mechanisms for prioritization of engineering activities, ensuring optimal resource allocation.

• Balance competing priorities across workstreams and communicate clear trade-offs and decisions to stakeholders.

• Maintain visibility on workload, deliverables, and dependencies across engineering functions.

• Communication & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Create clear channels of communication across engineering teams and program governance boards.

• Ensure transparent reporting on progress, challenges, and mitigation plans.

• Facilitate alignment between engineering leadership, program management, and external partners.

• Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead a cross-functional team of project coordinators, engineers, or technical leads (as applicable).

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Coach and mentor team members to enhance project delivery capability within the engineering perimeter.

• Performance & Delivery:

• Define and monitor KPIs for engineering governance effectiveness and delivery performance.

• Drive adherence to project schedules, budgets, and quality targets.

• Support compliance with SES’s quality, security, and sustainability standards.

COMPETENCIES

• Excellent project management skills, with strong time management skills to prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment

• Strong ability to work independently and without supervision in complex environments, e.g. project or matrix organizations

• Flexibility and adaptability in response to changing project requirements and environments

• Ability to think strategically and align project goals with organizational objectives

• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal

• Strong leadership and teamwork skills, with experience managing diverse expert teams and complex project organizations

• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities

• Innovation mindset, encouraging and contributing to innovative approaches and solutions.

• Proactive approach, can-do mentality and ability to work autonomously

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Must-Have:

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, or a related technical discipline.

• 10+ years of experience in project/program management within aerospace, telecommunications, or complex system engineering environments.

• Proven experience in establishing or running governance structures in large, multi-stakeholder programs.

• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional teams and influence at senior levels.

• Proficiency with project management methodologies (PMI, PRINCE2, or Agile) and associated tools.

Nice to Have:

• Experience in European space or secure connectivity programs (e.g., IRIS², GOVSATCOM, Galileo).

• PMP or PRINCE2 certification.

• Familiarity with systems engineering and integration practices.

• Experience managing hybrid teams (internal/external, cross-geography).

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS / COMMENTS

• Eligibility for ESA/EU SECRET personnel security clearances is essential. Candidates must be prepared to undergo a security clearance procedure, as this position may require holding such clearance

• Willing to work at least 66% onsite from office

• Travel as required for project realization purposes 

SES is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer