PA Consulting
Principal Consultant in Product Lifecycle Management - Aerospace & Defence
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Principal Consultant in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) – Aerospace & Defence/Discrete Manufacturing
About PA Consulting
We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.
As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity. Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster.
Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.
We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists, with deep expertise across:
- Consumer and manufacturing
- Defence and security
- Energy and utilities
- Financial services
- Government and public services
- Health and life sciences
- Transport
Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.
PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life.
About the Role
Job Location: Bristol-based (ideally) with flexibility to work from London (Victoria) or Manchester. Working Arrangement: Hybrid positions, with a minimum of 2-3 days per week in the office or on client site. Some assignments may require up to 5 days on a client site when needed.
Application Deadline: Apply ASAP
Are you stuck in a rut or needing a new challenge? Our Systems Insights & Solutions team is looking for a Principal Consultant in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), specialising in Aerospace & Defence or discrete manufacturing.
PLM transforms how organisations develop and manage products by combining end-to-end process thinking, enabling technology, and the right transformation approach—allowing our clients to deliver game-changing product innovations.
As a strong leader in this role, you’ll guide high-impact projects helping clients focus on Digital Engineering and full product lifecycle solutions—from the creation of new offerings to their end-of-life.
Key to success is our belief in collaborative problem-solving with vendors, suppliers, and our clients. PA Consulting employs a Business Integrator approach, meaning you’ll act as the glue across operational, technical, and business stakeholders, ensuring seamless PLM adoption and integration.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Responsibilities
As a Principal Consultant, your main focus will be:
- Supporting clients in Planning and Executing PLM Transformation Programmes
- Designing and refining Business Operating Models with the right processes and workflows
- Aligning ALL stakeholders to the New Ways of Working required for PLM adoption
- Partnering with Systems Integrators and technical experts to deliver tailored, successful PLM solutions for complex industries
- Achieving and sustaining buy-in at Management/Executive Levels while shaping business cases and implementation roadmaps
You’ll be deeply immersed in industries like Defence, Aerospace, or advanced discrete manufacturing—ensuring your clients leverage cutting-edge tech to accelerate product innovation.
Requirements
Essential Qualifications & Experience:
- +10 years of experience working with PLM, particularly spanning industry and deployment experience with vendors like Siemens PLM (a plus, but not mandatory).
- Deep hands-on expertise covering core PLM processes, such as:
- BOM (Bill of Materials) Management
- Changes/Configurations & Variant Options
- Systems Engineering
- CAD/CAE Integration
- Application Lifecycle Management (ALM)
- Through-Life Support
- Proven track record as a Business Champion for PLM Transformation, able to:
- Articulate business value, project justification, and ROI for PLM solutions
- Collaborate with Executives and C-Level Stakeholders to align thinking
- Strong background in prior Consulting experience, including:
- Managing Client Discussions & Stakeholder Engagement
- Involvement in Pre-Sales and scoping efforts
- Operating in dynamic, high-stakes project teams
Desirables:
- Degree in Engineering or related STEM discipline
- Hands-on exposure to Defence, Oil & Gas, or other discretionary industries, providing familiarity with specialised manufacturing workflows
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Notes on Candidates
We understand the complexity of skill gaps can make hiring daunting. If you have 9+ years of experience and strong PLM insights, we’d be happy to review your application to unlock your potential.
Note: Some PA roles require UK security clearance, including others in the Army, DSO, or Defence teams. Self-nomination and vetting processes vary. Details below.*
Security Clearance
Full eligibility requirements may be assessed during your application if the role involves access to sensitive projects.
To be considered for roles requiring UK vetting:
- Must be a British citizen or have 5+ years of continuous residency in the UK.
For candidates considering this route, check the UK Government’s guidance regarding eligibility.
Life at PA Consulting
Life at PA provides opportunities to grow intellectually, connect with exceptional colleagues, and support meaningful causes through a diverse, inclusive workplace. Equal opportunities are central at PA, with commitment to:
- Cultivating a cloud-based culture fostering innovation
- Flexible work policies including visionary benefits (e.g., 25 days leave + healthcare support)
- Tailored mental health support & training programs
- Shared purpose with charities & communities worldwide
Additional Benefits:
- Performance-based bonus packages
- Share ownership in the company
- Tax-efficient perks such as cycle-to-work scheme or give-back schemes
Approach to Equality & Diversity
PA Consulting’s commitment to an inclusive mindset underpins all hiring decisions. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of background, identity (racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, disability, or expression), or Veteran status—create approaches while celebrating diversity.
Need accommodations? Contact recruitmentenquiries@paconsulting.com to discuss your needs in advance.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills