Senior Project Lead / Project Manager – R&D Optics

About this vacancy

We are seeking an accomplished and highly driven Senior Project Lead / Project Manager to oversee complex, multi‑disciplinary R&D projects within our optics and photonics organization. In this role, you will be responsible for leading advanced development programs from concept through validation, ensuring technical excellence, planning accuracy, and stakeholder alignment.

You will collaborate closely with optical engineers, system architects, mechanical engineers, and external partners to deliver high‑precision optical technologies for demanding high‑tech applications. The environment is highly R&D‑oriented, fast‑paced, and innovation‑driven—requiring both strong leadership skills and a deep technical affinity with optical systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex R&D projects focused on advanced optical technologies, ensuring on‑time, on‑budget, and high‑quality delivery.
• Drive project definition, scope, planning, risk management, and resource allocation.
• Facilitate collaboration between multidisciplinary teams including optics, photonics, mechanical engineering, electronics, software, and system architecture.
• Review and challenge technical decisions to ensure alignment with project goals and system requirements.
• Maintain close communication with stakeholders, customers, and internal leadership teams regarding project progress and strategic decisions.
• Oversee technical documentation, project reports, roadmaps, and milestone deliverables.
• Identify technical and project risks early and implement mitigation strategies.
• Guide system integration, prototyping phases, and verification/validation activities in collaboration with engineering experts.
• Ensure processes, methodologies, and quality standards for R&D projects are properly applied and continuously improved.
• Mentor junior project leads and contribute to the development of project management capability within the organization.

What we expect from you

• 10+ years of experience in project management or project leadership within high‑tech engineering, preferably in optics, photonics, semicon, or aerospace.
• Strong background in R&D project management, including concept development, prototyping, and validation of complex technical systems.
• Solid technical affinity with optics, photonics, precision instrumentation, or optical metrology (hands‑on or theoretical).
• Proven track record delivering multi‑disciplinary engineering projects with high technical complexity.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and leadership skills.
• Experience with structured project management methodologies (e.g., PMI, Prince2, Agile, hybrid approaches).
• Ability to manage risks, dependencies, and uncertainty characteristic of advanced R&D environments.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to challenge technical decisions and guide teams toward optimal solutions.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Physics, Optical Engineering, Photonics, Systems Engineering, or related field. (PhD or MBA is a strong plus.)
• Experience in semiconductor equipment, space instrumentation, or high‑precision optical system development.
• Familiarity with technology roadmapping, strategic planning, and long‑term R&D portfolio management.
• Understanding of cleanroom processes, optical fabrication, coatings, or optical alignment methods.
• Experience working with external partners, suppliers, and research institutes.
• Background in systems engineering, requirements engineering, or verification and validation processes.
• Certification in project management (PMP, IPMA, Agile PM).
• Experience scaling prototypes into industrialization or early product development.

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