About the Role
The Project Engineer is responsible for managing the successful delivery of customer projects from the point of sale through to completion and handover. Projects include the delivery of bespoke driving simulators, upgrades and internal research and development (R&D) initiatives.
Working closely with customers and internal stakeholders across the business, the role will ensure projects are delivered on time, within agreed budgets and to the required quality standards. This includes project planning, coordination of resources, monitoring progress, managing risks and reporting on project performance.
The role requires a proactive and organised individual with strong project management skills, technical understanding and the ability to manage multiple activities concurrently, whilst maintaining effective relationships with customers and internal teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Take ownership of designated projects, ensuring they are planned, coordinated and delivered on time, within agreed budgets and to the required quality standards.
- Act as a key point of contact for international customers throughout the project lifecycle, providing regular updates and responding to queries and requests.
- Work with customers to gather and clarify project requirements, including engineering information, scope, technical specifications and delivery timescales.
- Liaise with internal stakeholders across relevant business functions to coordinate project activities and ensure alignment on scope, priorities, responsibilities and delivery expectations.
- Develop and maintain detailed project plans, including Gantt charts, task schedules, milestones and supporting project documentation.
- Prepare and maintain project documentation, including Internal Scope of Supply (ISoS) documents and specification presentations.
- Monitor project progress against agreed plans, identifying potential delays, risks and issues and taking appropriate action to keep delivery on track.
- Manage project costs, budgets and financial performance, monitoring project profitability and escalating any variances where necessary.
- Prepare and maintain project management information and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reports, including weekly and monthly updates covering schedules, costs, risks and customer satisfaction.
- Identify, assess and manage project risks, implementing appropriate mitigation plans and escalating significant issues where required.
- Coordinate resource planning across the business, working with other groups and departments to ensure projects are appropriately resourced and delivery targets can be achieved.
- Coordinate and oversee Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), installation and commissioning activities, and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), ensuring these are completed successfully.
- Maintain effective communication with all project stakeholders, ensuring expectations, progress and any changes to project requirements are clearly understood.
- Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of project management processes, tools and ways of working.
Travel: International travel is a required part of the role to support customer projects, installations, commissioning and project delivery activities as necessary.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
Essential
- Previous project management experience within a technical, engineering or manufacturing environment.
- Experience managing projects through the full project lifecycle, from initial requirements and planning through to delivery and completion.
- Experience using project planning and management tools, including the development and maintenance of project schedules.
- Strong customer-facing experience, with the ability to communicate professionally and effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly with international customers.
- Good understanding of project planning, resource coordination, risk management, budget monitoring and project reporting.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
- Willingness and ability to undertake international travel as required.
Desirable
- Recognised project management qualification and/or professional membership, such as APM PMQ, PMP or PRINCE2.
- Experience within the driving simulation, automotive or wider engineering industry.
- A strong interest in automotive technology, vehicles and/or driving simulation.
- Experience using Wrike or similar project management software.
- Experience using IFS ERP or a similar enterprise resource planning system.
Person Specification
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate confidently and professionally with customers, colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
- Planning and Organisation: Highly organised and methodical, with the ability to prioritise workload, manage competing demands and maintain progress against multiple project deadlines.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Works effectively with colleagues across different functions, building positive working relationships and bringing people together to achieve project objectives.
- Customer Focus: Takes a professional and responsive approach to customer relationships, understanding customer requirements and maintaining a focus on delivering a positive customer experience.
- Problem Solving and Initiative: Proactive in identifying issues, assessing options and finding practical solutions, taking ownership and escalating matters appropriately.
- Attention to Detail: Maintains a high level of accuracy and attention to detail when managing project plans, documentation, costs and reporting.
- Adaptability: Able to respond positively to changing project requirements, priorities and deadlines, maintaining a flexible and solutions-focused approach.
- Accountability and Professionalism: Takes ownership of responsibilities and commitments, demonstrating integrity, reliability and professionalism throughout the project lifecycle.