Lead Program Manager, Project Management
Pubblicato il 05-08-2026 - Institute Itech in Milano
Program Lead Project Manager (PLPM) – BalloonTM
Project Management & Engineering – Institute Itech
Full-time position
On-site (Milan, Italy)
Travel and meeting expenses will be reimbursed upon approval
Institute Itech is a private research, development and technological innovation institute based in Italy with an international vision.
It was created to transform scientific knowledge, advanced engineering and emerging technologies into concrete solutions for the environment, health, data intelligence, artificial intelligence, urban systems and technological infrastructure.
Education, Technology, Social, Nature, Research and Urban.
Through these areas, Institute Itech develops high-impact projects capable of improving quality of life, making cities more sustainable and creating new models of scientific, industrial and social progress.
BalloonTM is one of Institute Itech's flagship proprietary projects.
It is an environmental aerostat platform composed of a large tethered balloon designed to remain suspended above urban areas, parks, hills, campuses, and strategically selected environmental zones.
The system integrates four core functions into a single visible and sustainable infrastructure: air purification , environmental ventilation , solar energy production , and urban climate monitoring .
Institute Itech is seeking a technically grounded and operationally rigorous Program Lead Project Manager to lead the development and execution of the BalloonTM project from its current research and prototyping phase through to field deployment and operational validation.
The role requires a candidate capable of managing complex, multidisciplinary projects in an R&D-intensive; environment, with a strong aeronautical or aerospace engineering background and a hands-on approach to program leadership.
Program Leadership & Planning
Own the full project lifecycle of BalloonTM, from technical development to field deployment
Coordinate internal teams across engineering, design,
research, and operations
Manage project timelines, resource allocation, and risk mitigation plans
Ensure technical coherence across all subsystems: tethering, envelope, payload, energy, and monitoring
Stakeholder & Partner Management
Coordinate with regulatory and airspace authorities where applicable
Maintain full technical and project documentation in line with Institute Itech's standards
Produce progress reports, risk registers, and milestone briefings for executive leadership
Minimum 5–7 years of experience in project or program management within aerospace, aeronautical, or closely related engineering sectors
Proven experience managing multidisciplinary R&D; or engineering projects
Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills
Fluent English (mandatory)
Fluent Italian (preferred)
Knowledge of environmental monitoring systems, solar energy integration, or air quality technologies
Familiarity with airspace regulatory frameworks (ENAC, EASA, or equivalent)
Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent)
Experience in technology transfer from R&D; to field deployment
Central leadership role on one of Institute Itech's most innovative and visible proprietary projects
Opportunity to lead a program from prototyping through to real-world deployment
Growth path toward Head of BalloonTM Program or Senior Program Director
Reimbursement of approved travel and project-related expenses
Annual Gross Salary: €54,000 – €74,000 , depending on experience and technical profile.
Additional performance-based incentives may be provided based on project milestones achieved.
Important: applications including a detailed description of relevant engineering or program management experience will be given stronger consideration during the selection process.
Your experience in aerospace or aeronautical engineering and program management
Any relevant exposure to lighter-than-air systems, environmental technologies, or R&D; project leadership