Project Management at Kongsberg Maritime:

A Career of Possibilities

Armaan Kamboj and Jonas Wenstrøm both work as project managers at Kongsberg Maritime – Armaan works with deliveries, while Jonas works with development projects. They have found an environment that values growth, autonomy, and collaboration—making every project an opportunity to learn, innovate, and make an impact.

  • Text:Christine Oulie

    Photo:©Andres Felipe Vargas Hoyos

Armaan Kamboj: From Engineer to Project Manager

Armaan’s journey with Kongsberg Maritime began in 2012, working part-time in the hardware test department while studying cybernetics. After gaining experience elsewhere, Kongsberg Maritime remained on his radar. “I always had Kongsberg Maritime in the back of my mind as a great place to work,” he says. In 2020, he returned as a project engineer, and by 2022, he had stepped into the role of project manager—a shift that required a new mindset. 

Engineer to Project Manager

Armaan Kamboj, Project Manager

“As an engineer, I was deep in the technical details,” Armaan explains. “But as a project manager, I had to step back and see the bigger picture.”

His background in electronics engineering with cybernetics, combined with a diploma in finance, has given him a rare blend of technical and business expertise. “Understanding both the technical and economic aspects is definitely beneficial,” he says. “I enjoy the wide scope of work, from technology to finance, and especially working with people.” Currently, Armaan is working on the Skarv Satellites Project, an offshore modification project aimed at extending the lifetime of the Skarv FPSO. This project spans multiple years, involves around seven contracts, and has a team of about 30 people at its peak. 

As a project manager, Armaan ensures projects are delivered on time, within budget, and at the right quality. "I support my team by ensuring they have everything they need," he says. Leading a diverse team with various specialties requires adaptable communication skills and a genuine enjoyment of collaboration. “We work closely with our customers and internally to overcome problems and synchronize efforts," Armaan explains.

Kongsberg Maritime places a strong emphasis on leadership development and professional growth. His management team recognized Armaan's interest in project management early on and encouraged him to take relevant training. "They continue to support my growth and competence development," he says. While Armaan loves his current role, he sees potential for further growth within the company. "I could see myself growing into another management role in the future," he says. 

Projects a new Project Manager can be responsible for 

Jonny Hauge, Senior Vice President in Automation and Control, provides insight into the types of projects new project managers can expect: "At Kongsberg Maritime, we manage a wide range of projects with varying levels of complexity. Some of these projects are particularly well-suited for a new project manager transitioning from a technical role. We deliver both new builds and upgrades across virtually all market segments. For example, one project might involve upgrading a single product on a medium-sized merchant vessel where Kongsberg Maritime is not the critical path. Another example could be delivering products to new builds at experienced shipyards." 

Jonas Wenstrøm`s Journey 

Jonas joined Kongsberg Maritime as a project manager to lead impactful projects, combining his Master of Science in applied physics and software development experience with leadership. 

He highlights the unique qualities of his role: “The kind of work I do as a project manager is quite niche as I work with development. We address various needs from stakeholders like product owners or departments aiming to enhance their products,” Jonas explains. He emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with stakeholders and clearly communicating expectations. “It's crucial to help them understand realistic timelines, as tasks often take longer than anticipated. In our team, everyone knows their role and follows established processes,” he continues. “We have specialists like testers, developers, and architects, each contributing unique skills to the project.” 

Jonas's team operates across various locations, making trust and independence crucial. He believes that autonomy and independence are key to project success, especially in remote work. “To succeed, I need the freedom to run my projects as I see fit. No one micromanages me—I have the autonomy to make decisions and manage my team effectively,” he explains. Managing global teams can be challenging, but Jonas stresses the need to create space for conversations, show empathy, and think long-term. “We hold regular meetings and occasional in-person meetups. As a project manager, you are nothing without your team,” he adds. 

His passion for project-based work stems from its ever-evolving nature. “A project has a start and an end, and then you begin something new. No two days are the same, which suits me very well.” Jonas sees project management as an excellent stepping stone for future leadership roles. “Being a project manager over time is a great foundation for broader management positions. Kongsberg Maritime is a big organization, and new opportunities are always emerging.” 

Background of a Project Manager

Jonny also shares his thoughts on the ideal background for a project manager: "At Kongsberg Maritime, we currently have project managers with diverse backgrounds. Excelling in a technical position is a very good start, especially in the smaller projects where more technical involvement is expected. In my opinion, the type of formal education is less important; what matters is being structured and having strong communication skills." 

For those considering a career in project management at Kongsberg Maritime, Armaan and Jonas share a common message: it’s an exciting, dynamic, and highly rewarding path. 

“You’ll have access to a wide range of interesting projects and work at the forefront of technology,” says Armaan. “You’ll never have a boring day.” 

Jonas echoes this sentiment: “If you enjoy working with people, love technology, and want to make an impact on future products, Kongsberg Maritime is the place to be.” 

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