R&D PMO Lead (641043)

Company Description

Spear, founded in 2017 and based in Tel Aviv, develops and manufactures the Viper family of advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for defense forces.

As the leading system house in Israel for tactical UAS, we provide end-to-end system development from concept and design stage through full integration and field testing - delivering AI-powered loitering systems that give any combat unit an “inherent air force” with a user-friendly and intuitive operational interface.

Our multidisciplinary teams include, among others: hardware, mechanics, software, computer vision, artificial intelligence, communications, navigation, motion control, and electro-mechanics.

As we continue to grow rapidly, we are looking for talented team players to join our success.

Job Description:

We are seeking an R&D PMO Lead to join a multidisciplinary R&D organization in the defense industry, driving planning, coordination, and execution across complex technological projects.

In this role you will be responsible for synchronizing R&D work plans combining System Engineering, Software, Hardware, Mechanics, Product Aspects, and Support Engineering, while coordinating closely with Operations, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Flight & Integration Testing teams. The PMO Lead will track critical-path activities, risks, blockers, budget, and key deliverables, while driving cross-functional alignment and execution.

The role requires strong project management, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to connect day-to-day execution to strategic goals, drive teams without direct authority, and operate effectively in a dynamic and high-pressure environment.

Responsibilities:

• Managing, tracking, and synchronizing work plans across various R&D domains (System Engineering, Software, Hardware, Mechanics, Product & Support Engineering, etc.).

• Facilitating ongoing synchronization between R&D and Engineering activities and external organizational interfaces: Operations, Manufacturing, Procurement, Field Tests Integration Tests, etc.

• Synchronizing all R&D and Engineering field test activities with the company's flight-testing team

• Managing and tracking cross-organizational and critical path tasks.

• Prioritizing and controlling R&D lab activities and deliverables

• Leading After-Action Review (AAR) processes and implementing lessons learned into routine workflows.

• Tracking R&D risks and proactively raising blockers in advance.

• Building and maintaining up-to-date dashboards for the R&D and Engineering activities.

• Monitoring R&D and Engineering budgets.

Requirements:

• Practical Engineer or B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering & Management / Mechanical Engineering / Electrical Engineering (or equivalent military/professional experience in operations management within a technological environment).

• 3 years of experience as a PMO or Technological Operations Leader

• Proven background working in a multidisciplinary environment (integrating Hardware, Software, System Engineering, and Operations).

• Technical understanding and familiarity with armaments and weapon systems

• Experience in managing complex work plans and task tracking using tools such as Jira, Monday, MS Project, or similar.

• Ability to connect fine details to the big picture and strategic goals.

• Proven ability to drive team leads, tech leads, and external stakeholders without direct hierarchy.

• Strong mediation, conflict resolution, and leadership skills in a dynamic, high-pressure environment.

• Ability to distill core priorities, deliver high-level presentations

• Hands-on troubleshooter with a practical results-oriented approach