Project Manager

Business: Oxford Instruments: X-Ray TechnologyLocation: Scotts Valley, California.Reports to: Engineering Director Job Title: Project Manager Primary Purpose: We are looking for a Project Manager to join our Engineering team. In this role, you will lead the development and delivery of new products from planning through to successful launch and first customer deliveries.You will own Project Management at Oxford Instruments X-Ray Technology, ensuring a disciplined, consistent, and effective cross-functional approach that drives alignment, accountability, and predictable delivery outcomes.This role is ideal if...You have a proven track record of delivering complex product development projects in a high‑tech environment, coordinating across multiple cross‑functional teamsYou are experienced in delivering products incorporating both hardware and software, including new or evolving technologiesYou are comfortable working in structured development environments (stage-gate, Agile, or hybrid), and have successfully applied these frameworks in practiceYou have strong experience with project management tools such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, or equivalent, and understand how to use them to drive execution, not just reportingYou are confident leading teams through ambiguity, holding stakeholders accountable, and ensuring commitments are metYou are able to balance involvement in projects without displacing ownership from technical leadsYou have formal project management training or equivalent experience, a degree in Physics, Engineering or a related discipline would be advantageous.What your role will look like...Project Management (PM) Leadership and Execution:Own, implement, and continuously operate the PM framework, including governance, reporting, and project cadenceEnsure PM processes are consistently applied and adopted across engineering and cross-functional teamsTranslate frameworks and plans into sustained, operational practices that improve delivery outcomesProject Delivery and Alignment:Drive alignment of deliverables, ownership, and timelines across all stakeholdersEnsure projects progress with clear accountability, predictable execution, and timely recovery when deviations occurIdentify and address misalignment early to minimize downstream impactGovernance:Establish and maintain a consistent project governance cadence (e.g., weekly or biweekly meetings)Ensure all meetings have clear agendas, documented actions, defined owners, and due datesTrack actions to closure and ensure meetings drive decisions, alignment, and issue resolutionLeadership, Delegation, and Accountability:Lead through others by clearly assigning ownership and holding individuals accountable for deliveryBuild capability across the team through coaching and mentorshipMaintain focus on leadership and oversight rather than direct executionRisk, Issue, and Escalation Management:Proactively identify and manage risks and issuesEscalate concerns early with clear mitigation plansMaintain transparent and accurate communication of project healthPlanning, Tracking, and ReportingMaintain accurate, realistic project plans and timelinesEnsure reporting provides actionable insight and drives decision‑makingUse tools effectively to support execution and accountabilityRequired Education, Qualifications & ExperienceRequired:Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.Demonstrable experience managing complex projects across multi-functional teams in a high-tech, engineering, manufacturing, or product development environment.Experience delivering projects involving hardware and software products through the full product development lifecycle.Proficiency with project management tools such as Smartsheet, Monday.com, Microsoft Project, or similar platforms.Knowledge of project management tools, issue tracking systems, project governance, and status reporting.Understanding of stage-gate project oversight processes and project governance methodologies.Ideal:Degree in Physics, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.Formal project management training, certification (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile, or equivalent), or comparable practical experience.Experience introducing or improving project management frameworks, governance processes, and delivery practices within an engineering organizationCompensationIn accordance with California law, the expected salary for this full-time, benefited position is between $120,000 - $130,000. The actual compensation will be determined considering factors such as relevant skills and experience and other factors permitted by law. #LI-NS1