Software Project Manager

Job Title‍ ‍Software Project Manager
Location ‍Segensworth, Hampshire
Hours‍ ‍Full time, 40 hours per week
Reporting to ‍Head of Engineering / Programme Director
Department ‍ Software / Engineering / Autonomy Systems

Role Purpose

The Software Project Manager is responsible for the planning, coordination, and delivery of complex autonomy software projects supporting the development and deployment of maritime autonomous systems. Working at the intersection of software engineering, autonomy systems, and maritime operations, the role ensures delivery against programme objectives, customer requirements, regulatory constraints, and operational readiness.

The role leads cross‑functional Agile teams delivering safety‑critical and mission‑critical software, supporting integration activities, trials, and operational deployments within both simulated and real‑world marine environments.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Delivery Management

·       Manage the full software project lifecycle from concept through development, integration, sea trials, and release.

·       Plan, execute, and track delivery using Agile methodologies (Scrum/Kanban).

·       Translate high level autonomy, mission, and system requirements into epics, user stories, and acceptance criteria.

·       Manage delivery schedules, scope, dependencies, and resource demand across multiple workstreams.

Agile Delivery & Tooling

·       Own and maintain delivery artefacts in JIRA, including backlogs, boards, roadmaps, and reports.

·       Facilitate Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, backlog refinement, reviews, and retrospectives.

·       Use Confluence to maintain clear documentation, decision logs, technical overviews, and shared knowledge.

·       Track velocity, burndown, risks, dependencies, and technical debt, escalating issues where required.

Stakeholder & Team Leadership

·       Act as the primary interface between software teams, systems engineering, autonomy specialists, marine operations, and external partners.

·       Coordinate dependencies across software, sensors, platforms, communications, and integration activities.

·       Communicate delivery progress, risks, and mitigation plans clearly to senior stakeholders and customers.

·       Foster a collaborative, transparent, and accountable team environment.

Autonomy & Maritime Context

·       Work closely with autonomy engineers delivering navigation, perception, mission planning, and control software.

·       Ensure software delivery aligns with maritime safety standards, assurance activities, and regulatory expectations.

·       Support integration activities, system trials, and operational testing in simulated and real world marine environments.

Risk, Quality & Compliance

·       Identify and manage technical, delivery, and operational risks associated with autonomy software development.

·       Ensure appropriate quality assurance, verification, and validation processes are followed.

·       Support audits, design reviews, formal programme gates, and safety reviews as required.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

·       Degree (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.

·       Formal project management or Agile certification (e.g. PRINCE2, APM, Scrum Master, AgilePM) or demonstrable equivalent experience.

Essential Experience

·       Proven experience managing software development projects in complex technical environments.

·       Hands on experience delivering software using Agile methodologies, including sprints, epics, and user stories.

·       Strong practical use of JIRA and Confluence for planning, tracking, and documentation.

·       Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams (software, systems, testing, operations).

·       Delivery experience in safety critical, mission critical, or regulated software environments.

Desirable Experience

·       Experience working with or alongside autonomy software, robotics, AI/ML, or control systems.

·       Exposure to maritime, defence, aerospace, automotive, robotics, or similarly regulated sectors.

·       Experience supporting system integration, trials, or operational deployments.

·       Familiarity with systems engineering approaches and software to system interfaces.

Key Skills & Competencies

Technical & Delivery Skills

·       Strong understanding of modern software development lifecycles and delivery practices.

·       Ability to manage uncertainty and evolving requirements typical of autonomy programmes.

·       Confident translating technical detail into structured delivery plans and stakeholder focused updates.

Tools & Methods

·       Advanced user of JIRA, including workflows, reporting, and dashboards.

·       Skilled in Agile ceremonies, backlog management, and story writing.

·       Comfortable working with hybrid or geographically distributed teams.

Personal Attributes

·       Clear, confident communicator with strong stakeholder management capability.

·       Calm, structured, and decisive under pressure.

·       Collaborative mindset with credibility to work effectively with senior engineers and technical specialists.

·       Highly organised with strong attention to detail and personal accountability.

What we provide

·       25 days holiday per year, plus paid bank holiday

·       Flexi working

·       Private Medical Insurance with optional family cover

·       Pension scheme with a 4% employer contribution, there is no cap on the employee contribution level

·       Life assurance 3x salary

·       Group Income Protection

·       Health Care Cash Plan

·       Cycle to Work Scheme

·       Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing mental health and wellbeing support

·       Professional membership reimbursement (discretionary)

Important to know: Due to the nature of our work many of our roles require a UK nationality and the ability to obtain a security clearance.  Applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment must meet the requirement of right to work in the UK and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to Government security checks.

Kraken Works Limited is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are committed to maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and offers equal opportunities to all.  Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.