Project Manager (Space Systems - Payloads)

Project Manager - Space Systems & Payloads

📍 Tres Cantos, Madrid 

At Morgan Philips, we are partnering with our client Thales Alenia Space, a global leader in the space industry, to recruit an experienced Space Systems & Payloads Project Manager.

This is a high-impact opportunity for a senior project professional who will lead complex space programmes from the proposal and contract award stages through to final delivery and customer acceptance.

The successful candidate will take end-to-end responsibility for projects involving space missions, satellite systems and telecommunications or optical payloads, balancing customer expectations with demanding technical, contractual, financial, quality and schedule objectives.

The Opportunity

As Space Systems & Payloads Project Manager, you will be accountable for the successful execution of complex and highly visible programmes within an international and technologically advanced environment.

You will act as the primary interface between customers and the project organisation, coordinating multidisciplinary teams across Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance and support functions.

The role requires the ability to manage several interconnected workstreams simultaneously, anticipate challenges and make informed decisions in situations involving technical complexity, contractual commitments and demanding programme milestones.

This position offers significant exposure to international customers, suppliers, engineering teams and senior leadership, as well as the opportunity to contribute directly to the success and growth of advanced space programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex space projects from contract award through final delivery and customer acceptance.
• Take full ownership of project scope, budget, schedule, quality and technical performance.
• Act as the primary interface with customers, partners and key internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality and Finance.
• Develop and monitor project plans, milestones, resources, forecasts and performance indicators.
• Identify and manage technical, financial, contractual and schedule risks, implementing mitigation and recovery plans.
• Ensure compliance with contractual commitments and manage changes in customer requirements.
• Lead project reviews, governance meetings and executive reporting.
• Support proposals, cost estimations and future business opportunities.
• Capture lessons learned and drive continuous improvement across project execution.

Your Background

We are looking for an accomplished project professional capable of combining strategic leadership, commercial awareness and disciplined execution in a complex technical environment.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration or another relevant discipline.
• At least five years of experience managing complex technical or engineering projects.
• Experience in the space, aerospace, defence, telecommunications or another high-technology sector will be highly valued.
• Previous exposure to space missions, satellite systems, telecommunications payloads or optical payloads would be a strong advantage.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional and geographically distributed teams.
• Solid knowledge of project management methodologies, governance processes and performance controls.
• Experience managing customer-facing projects and contractual commitments.
• Strong financial awareness, including budgeting, forecasting and cost control.
• Ability to manage technical, financial, contractual and schedule risks.
• Experience contributing to proposals, tenders, cost estimations or bid management activities.
• Fluent English is mandatory. Additional European languages would be an advantage.
• PMP or IPMA certification would be highly valued.

Candidates from sectors such as space, defence, aeronautics, satellite communications, complex telecommunications systems, transportation or critical infrastructure may also be relevant when they have managed highly technical, regulated and customer-facing programmes.

What Will Make You Successful

• Strong leadership and the ability to influence without relying exclusively on hierarchical authority.
• Strategic thinking combined with disciplined project execution.
• Excellent customer and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Sound commercial judgement and financial awareness.
• Ability to understand complex technical challenges and translate them into clear decisions.
• Confidence managing multiple priorities in an evolving environment.
• Structured risk management and problem-solving skills.
• Strong negotiation and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Data-driven decision-making and effective use of project performance indicators.
• Resilience and adaptability under pressure.
• Attention to detail while maintaining a complete view of the programme.
• High level of accountability, ownership and results orientation.

Why Join Thales Alenia Space?

Thales Alenia Space is a global space manufacturer with more than 40 years of experience delivering advanced solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructure.

Joining the company means contributing to sophisticated space missions and satellite programmes that combine advanced engineering, international collaboration and demanding customer requirements.

The successful candidate will benefit from:

• End-to-end responsibility for complex and highly visible space programmes.
• Exposure to satellite systems and telecommunications or optical payloads.
• Direct interaction with international customers, partners and senior decision-makers.
• Opportunities to work with cutting-edge space technologies.
• A flexible and smart working model, including hybrid working arrangements and flexible hours.
• Competitive compensation and benefits.
• Free meals at the office.
• 28 business days of annual leave.
• Company pension plan.
• Individual learning and development programmes.
• A collaborative, innovative and multicultural working environment.
• Long-term career development opportunities within the global space industry.

At Thales Alenia Space, space is more than a destination. It is an opportunity to connect, protect, explore and help build a more sustainable future on Earth.

If you are ready to lead complex space programmes and transform ambitious technical objectives into successful customer outcomes, we would like to hear from you.

Great journeys start here. Apply now.

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