Senior Project Manager - Software

Cell therapies have been shown to cure devastating diseases like cancer by reprogramming a patient’s own immune system, offering hope where there was none before. Giving more patients access to these life-saving therapies requires a revolution in manufacturing and process automation.

Cellular Origins is leading this revolution. Our proprietary technology tackles the challenges of large-scale production with an elegant robotic automation system that cuts costs, reduces labour, eliminates human error, and boosts efficiency.

We’re looking for a Project Manager to join us on our mission to give all patients access to cell therapies. Reporting to the Programme Manager, you will work closely with the Head of Software and other Project Managers to lead and coordinate software-related activities within a complex electromechanical automation programme.

This role requires a strong understanding of software delivery lifecycles, a systems-oriented mindset, and the ability to collaborate effectively across hardware, embedded, robotics and web stack software teams.

You will combine technical fluency with project leadership to manage schedules, dependencies, and cross-domain risks while maintaining alignment with customer objectives and high-level program goals. This role will be a full time on-site position at our campus in Melbourn.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead software project planning and execution within an integrated automation system.
• Manage timelines, milestones, risks, and deliverables.
• Coordinate interdependencies across software, firmware, hardware, and robotics.
• Support system integration planning and validation.
• Facilitate communication across engineering disciplines and stakeholders.
• Translate technical updates into clear, actionable insights.
• Serve as primary interface for customers on project status and priorities.
• Resolve cross-functional issues to maintain alignment and momentum.
• Apply agile or hybrid project management methods using tools like Jira/MS Project.
• Drive continuous improvement in cross-domain project coordination.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• Experience in project or program management within software-intensive electromechanical or automation systems.
• Proven ability to work across software, hardware, and embedded disciplines.
• Deep understanding of software lifecycles (Agile, Iterative) vs. hardware lifecycles (Stage-Gate, V-model) to ensure a pragmatic approach to delivering to the needs of various stakeholders.

• Competent using a range of IT systems at an advanced level, e.g. MS Office and Project, Atlassian JIRA and Confluence, etc.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills at both technical and executive levels.
• Ability to navigate technical discussions across software, hardware, and embedded systems.
• Outstanding organisational ability, with a track record of successfully delivering complex systems on highly accelerated timescales.

 

Preferred:

• Experience in industrial automation, robotics, or mechatronic systems.
• Background in systems engineering or integration projects.
• Familiarity with embedded software development environments and hardware/software co-design.
• Ideally some experience gained within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or cell-therapy fields.
• Experience of working within an ISO 9001 Quality Management System, or similar.
• Experience of working with GMP and GAMP5 product development.

Cellular Origins is based on the TTP Campus, within purpose-built sustainable offices, labs and green surroundings, 10 miles south of Cambridge.  Our working culture encourages entrepreneurship, shared ideas and collaboration, while providing you the freedom to do your best work.   

Our employee benefits include:  

• Annual bonus  
• 25 days holiday  
• Employer pension contribution of 10% of salary 
• Free lunch and all-day refreshments  
• Private medical insurance for employees and dependants  
• Enhanced family friendly leave  
• Life insurance worth 6x salary  
• Electric car leasing scheme  
• Cycle to work scheme  
• Season ticket loan  
• Activities and community that supports healthy activities that bring colleagues together; whether it’s lunchtime squash or football, Zumba or our own rock band. Colleagues initiate new clubs and outings whenever they feel there’s something missing!