Project Manager - Optical & Imaging Technology (EU & UK | Hybrid)

LOCATION: Hybrid - must be based out of the UK, Budapest (HU), or Padua (IT)


TYPE: Full-time


COMPENSATION: Competitive (40K - EUR) + Stock Options Available


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ABOUT NIMRUD


Nimrud is a pioneering deep-tech project at the intersection of cinematography, optical engineering, imaging science, and machine learning.

Its mission is to digitise the optical behaviour of real lenses, enabling precise measurement, simulation, and creative manipulation of characteristics such as distortion, aberration, flare, bokeh, and depth of field.

By combining advanced optical hardware, computational imaging, and AI-driven modelling, Nimrud creates high-accuracy digital lens twins - bridging physical cinematography with digital image generation and unlocking new capabilities for VFX, virtual production, CGI rendering, and generative AI.

Nimrud has been operating for over three years and is built by a structured, fully remote European team of hardware and software developers, optical and mechanical engineers, and industry-leading founders from film, TV, and advanced imaging. We are primarily based in Padua (Italy), Budapest (Hungary), and London (UK).

The project is developed in collaboration with top European partners in optics, computer graphics, and film technology.


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ROLE OVERVIEW


We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to coordinate and drive Nimrud’s development across hardware, software, ML, and optical science workstreams.

This role focuses on execution, organisation, and delivery - ensuring that complex R&D efforts move forward efficiently, dependencies are clear, milestones are met, and teams remain aligned across disciplines and time zones. This is a HYBRID role (mainly remote, with occasional in-office visits if you are based out of Padua or Budapest).

You will work closely with founders, engineering leads, and external partners to maintain clarity, structure, and momentum across multiple parallel technical tracks.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Project Planning & Execution

- Build and maintain detailed project plans across hardware, software, and ML development tracks.
- Define milestones, dependencies, risks, and mitigation plans for complex research and development (R&D) workflows.
- Ensure teams have clear weekly and monthly priorities aligned to Nimrud’s roadmap.

2. Cross-Team Coordination

- Coordinate communication across optics, software engineering, research, and product groups.
- Maintain structured async communication for a distributed remote team.
- Facilitate regular stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, and cross-team syncs.

3. Operational & Delivery Management

- Track progress against timelines and ensure deliverables are met or escalated early.
- Maintain documentation, decision logs, task boards, sprint notes, and technical records.
- Help prepare engineering and research output for internal review and external partners.

4. Partner & Stakeholder Alignment

- Support coordination with academic partners, industry collaborators, and pilot users.
- Assist founders in preparing materials for grants, reporting, and partnership milestones.
- Maintain clear communication channels between internal teams and external stakeholders.

5. Process & Quality Management

- Establish and refine workflow processes suited for a distributed R&D environment.
- Ensure versioning, documentation, and testing practices are followed across the project.
- Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or risks and propose practical solutions.

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REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

- Proven experience as a Project Manager, Technical Project Coordinator, or Program Manager in engineering, R&D, ideally with experience in some or all of the following: imaging, optics, ML, or related deep-tech fields.
- Experience coordinating hardware–software development pipelines.
- Excellent organisational, planning, and reporting skills.
- Strong communication abilities across scientific, engineering, and creative disciplines.
- Experience working with remote, distributed teams.
- Familiarity with project tools such as Notion, Jira, Linear, Asana, or equivalents.
- Ability to manage complex technical initiatives with many moving parts.

BONUS

- Background or familiarity with optics, imaging, computer graphics, ML, or VFX workflows.
- Prior involvement in EU-funded or research-driven projects.
- Understanding of camera systems, lens behaviour, or image-formation science.

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WHAT WE OFFER

- A central organisational role in one of Europe’s most ambitious imaging-tech projects.
- Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of optical, software, ML, and imaging experts.
- A flexible hybrid working environment.
- Competitive compensation and meaningful equity.