Meritus are working with a leading business in the Space Sector for the recruitment of a Project Manager for an initial 6 month engagement which is likely to be extended for an additional 6 months. PROJECT MANAGER - SPACE SECTOR - £400 to £500 per day OUTSIDE IR35 - MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THE SPACE SECTOR TO BE CONSIDERED - HYBRID IN GUILDFORD What You'll Be Doing Your role will span the full lifecycle of satellite missions, including both space and ground segments: Leading projects or major elements of programmes from contract kick-off through development, launch, commissioning, and operational handover Owning project delivery from start to finish, using SSTL's structured processes, managing plans, schedules, risk registers, deliverables, technical milestones, and cost tracking (including earned value and risk exposure) Day-to-day leadership of cross-functional project teams, ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, and budget Structuring project delivery into work packages, securing appropriate engineering resources, and keeping progress tightly aligned to plan Acting as the main point of contact for customers and internal teams including Engineering, Commercial, Project Accounting, and senior leadership Managing all key project reviews, defining clear objectives, success criteria, and ensuring customer milestones are achieved Identifying and mitigating project risks, with clear actions owned and tracked across work packages Overseeing project finances to maintain budget alignment, including contingency planning, profit tracking, and financial forecasting Supporting business development through cost modelling and inputs to bids, including risk assessments, delivery strategy, and customer interaction Working closely with Bid Managers to scope and shape programme deliverables for new contracts What You'll Bring Experience Proven track record of delivering complex technical projects, ideally within space, aerospace, or a high-tech engineering sector Strong understanding of project set-up, execution, and closure processes Experienced in managing external customers and internal stakeholders across all levels Familiarity with matrix organisations and work package-based delivery Commercially aware, with experience managing contracts and supplier performance Qualifications, Skills & Behaviours A degree (or equivalent experience) in engineering, physics, or another technical field preferred Effective leadership skills, you can energise and align teams to deliver under pressure Clear communicator and confident influencer, both written and verbal, at all business levels Organised and highly self-motivated with the ability to prioritise and adapt quickly Calm and decisive under pressure, with a proactive problem-solving mindset Confident working with technical teams and understanding engineering risks, impacts, and trade-offs Ability to create and maintain detailed project plans and schedules using MS Project Strong commercial understanding, able to interpret contract terms into project delivery strategy Skilled in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Project Comfortable working independently, taking ownership, and managing your own workload Demonstrates core professional behaviours: accountability, delivery focus, strong communication, team mindset, and self-management