{"id":842815,"url":"https://alion.io/job/archangel-project-manager-optical-communications","title":"Project Manager - Optical Communications","company":{"id":695770,"name":"Archangel Lightworks","domain":"archangel.works","url":"https://alion.io/company/archangel-2","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Breezy","truth_index":null},"role":"Management","role_family":"Management","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Oxford, United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":46000,"max_usd":112000,"period":"year","method":"role_country_seniority_unknown","sample_n":290},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Agile","optional":true},{"name":"Waterfall","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-21T14:36:22Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-08-21","last_verified_at":"2026-10-01T04:12:02Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":40,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":40},"description":"About Archangel Lightworks\nArchangel Lightworks is a laser communications company building wireless technology. Founded in 2017, we believe that laser communications to and from satellites is a key component of next-generation infrastructure. Our core product, the TERRA-M, is a deployable optical ground station with proven capability for space - ground data transfer.\nOur team develops and operates products that advance the security and resilience of critical national infrastructure. We value compassion, resilience, curiosity, ownership and integrity. Our start-up is a fast-paced and supportive environment, where you can contribute to novel technology with meaningful applications like reducing the Digital Divide.\nArchangel Lightworks recently closed over £10 million of investment in an oversubscribed Series A funding round. Our company is also supported by the UK Space Agency, the UK’s Department of Science and Technology (DSIT) and the UK Ministry of Defence.\nAbout the job\n We are hiring Project Managers to work across several of our optical communication domains. You will oversee internal and external projects, ranging from furthering the R&D activities of our flagship Optical Ground Station, TERRA-M, which will revolutionize space-to-ground communications with lasercom technology, to planning international test campaigns. Your work will directly contribute to the successful delivery of projects that bring cutting-edge laser communication technologies to market, helping to revolutionize global connectivity. You will work closely with the Programme Manager and Engineering Manager to ensure the successful execution of our development portfolio on time, within scope, and within budget.\nYour responsibilities will include:\nManage assigned product developments and associated projects to the specified scope, timeline, and budget. This includes supporting and collaborating with the growing PM and Engineering teams to ensure successful delivery. At Archangel Lightworks we succeed together, so collaboration and teamwork are critical to the role. \nCollaborate with the engineering team to translate technical requirements and work areas into clear project scopes and plans. \nWork closely with Technical Leads to ensure that Product Development Plans remain aligned with the backlog of technical tasks; and provide accurate inputs into Programme and Portfolio level controls. \nProactively identify and manage project risks, interdependencies, and their impact on timelines and cross-functional work streams. \nMonitor and control project finances and forecasts; and provide inputs into Programme and Company level financial tracking. This includes proactive identification of forecast issues for mitigation, and ownership of forecast accuracy. \nBuild and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers and customers. \nWork collaboratively with the PM team to ensure alignment across the development portfolio. \nCoordinate and participate in formal documentation review and change control processes. \n\nRequirements:\nDemonstrable full-lifecycle product development experience in Hardware and/or Software within an R&D-heavy organisation, preferably deep tech or space sector. \nFamiliarity with stage-gate development processes and product development cycles, from R&D through to production handover. \nStakeholder management of commercial and quasi-governmental organisations e.g. Innovate UK, UKSA, ESA; both as suppliers and customers. \nExperience with control of project finances - from development forecasts to claim & audit processes with public funding bodies. \nQualification/accreditation in project management. Equivalent extensive and relevant project management experience; or completion of a recognized project management apprenticeship supplemented by relevant industry experience will also be considered.\nDesirableadditional skills - One or more will be highly beneficial, in addition to the above minimum criteria:\nExperience within a start-up/scale-up environment, including managing resource and project priorities in a constrained environment. \nDomain knowledge in ground segment, satellite systems, laser communication technology, or optical systems. While you don’t need to be a subject matter expert, an understanding of these areas is highly beneficial due to the technical nature of our work. \nKnowledge of the deployment of ground station and network operations within the Space Communications sector. \nExperience with the development of communication systems on maritime and drone-based platforms, preferably optical. \nExperience working in an engineering agile environment is highly beneficial. We operate following Agile processes on daily-to-weekly basis, underpinned by long term waterfall plans. \nExperience with contractual negotiation, particularly multi-party legal and IP agreements. \nLocation: Our office is based in Osney Mead, Oxford. There may be opportunity to work from home as agreed with your line manager. There may be opportunity for periodic business travel.\nWhat we offer:\nOpportunity to work on advanced optical systems to support a world-changing vision \nA collaborative and transparent culture with strong links between functions \nRegular socials and weekly company lunch \nProfessional development and skills growth within a specialist engineering field \nCompetitive salary and benefits package, with equity options in a growing start-up \n25 days annual leave allowance plus bank holidays\nArchangel Lightworks is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. If you need any assistance or accommodation to complete your application or assessment, please contact us through the application form.\nWe recognise that many candidates us AI tools when applying. Please ensure your application reflects your own experience, skills, and thinking. We assess applications based on authenticity and accuracy, so anything generated with AI should be reviewed, personalised, and representative of you.","description_format":"text","description_chars":6084,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Annual leave","Equity","Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United Kingdom","iso":"GB","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Optical Communications","Satellite Communications","Optics & Photonic Components"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-12T22:41:39Z"}],"liveness":{"score":28,"band":"fade","label":"Fading","p_open":1,"p_active":0.51,"p_room":0.55,"age_days":40,"expected_fill_days":36,"reasons":["conf:1","win:tail"],"computed_at":"2026-10-01T05:45:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/archangel-project-manager-optical-communications","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/archangel-project-manager-optical-communications.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-01T11:11:18Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":2656,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":2344,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-10-02T00:00:00Z"}}}