R&D Project Manager

Quick Facts

• Role: Senior R&D Project Manager

• Focus: Complex development projects for electron microscopes and related technologies

Description

Lead end-to-end R&D projects—from preparation and planning, through prototype development and verification, to handover for production readiness and first customer deliveries. Own integrated project plans covering scope, deliverables, milestones, dependencies, capacity needs, and cost estimates, while coordinating cross-functional teams in a matrix organization. Proactively manage risks, open issues, and scope changes, and keep costs and progress on track with clear stakeholder reporting.

Responsibilities

• Drive complex development projects from planning and prototyping to verification, production handover, and readiness for early customer deliveries

• Create and maintain integrated project plans (scope, outputs, milestones, dependencies, capacity needs, cost estimates)

• Lead cross-disciplinary project teams in a matrix structure; align responsibilities, realistic capacity, and timelines

• Actively manage risks, open issues, and scope changes; assess impacts and propose solution variants and recommendations

• Track project costs, effort, and completion forecast; flag deviations early and coordinate corrective actions

• Prepare project reviews and decision milestones; ensure required inputs and close agreed tasks and conditions

• Coordinate product readiness for practical launch (verification completion, documentation, certification activities, manufacturing and supplier preparation, and service enablement)

• Provide leaders and stakeholders with a clear status overview and improve project management practices based on lessons learned

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience independently managing complex technical/development projects from initial assignment through product introduction to production

• Experience coordinating multiple disciplines (mechanics, electronics, software, systems engineering, testing)

• Ability to build realistic schedules using the critical path, manage dependencies, and handle risks, scope changes, and project costs

• Ability to lead through natural authority; negotiate commitments across departments and keep teams results-focused without direct line authority

• Technical overview to understand relationships and ask the right questions (not to replace technical solution owners)

• Structured communication; ability to challenge unrealistic assumptions constructively and escalate problems early with solution proposals

• Technical, science, or related university degree (or equivalent relevant experience)

• English proficiency to independently lead project meetings and communicate internationally

Benefits

• Ability to influence demanding R&D projects in electron microscopy

• Work with specialists across technical disciplines and throughout the product lifecycle

• Space to apply experience and improve how development teams plan, collaborate, and deliver

• Meaningful work turning advanced technology into products that support global discoveries

• Growing community with opportunities for further professional development

• Support and an employee-focused environment (Brno offices)

• Benefits including financial bonuses, flexible cafeteria benefits (Benefit Plus) up to 24,000 CZK/year, meal allowance, free coffee, mobile plan, and language courses

• Time off: 5 weeks vacation, 2 sick days, and 1 volunteer day