Be ready to go over:

• Risk Identification – Spotting the underlying issues in the provided client scenario, such as misaligned expectations, technical debt, or vendor conflicts.
• Structured Planning – Creating a clear, phased roadmap that addresses the client's immediate pain points while setting up long-term success.
• Q&A Defense – Answering tough, highly specific questions from a panel of Project Managers and Portfolio Managers who may remain quiet during your presentation to test your confidence.

Example scenarios:

• "Present a 90-day onboarding and execution plan for the troubled client scenario described in the case study."
• "Explain how you would re-engage a client team that has become silent and unresponsive during the initial deployment phase."

As a Project Manager at Cognite, your day-to-day work will be dynamic, fast-paced, and highly collaborative. You will be responsible for orchestrating the successful delivery of high-value digital solutions.

Your primary responsibilities will include:

• End-to-End Project Lifecycle Management: Leading the planning, execution, and closing of Cognite Data Fusion (CDF) implementation projects for global industrial clients.
• Cross-Functional Orchestration: Coordinating internal teams of data engineers, solution architects, product managers, and domain experts to ensure technical deliverables align with client business goals.
• Client Relationship Management: Serving as the primary point of contact for client stakeholders, ensuring clear communication regarding project status, risks, and milestones.
• Scope and Risk Mitigation: Proactively managing project scope, identifying potential bottlenecks early, and implementing mitigation strategies to keep deployments on schedule and within budget.
• Vendor and Partner Coordination: Collaborating with external system integrators and third-party software vendors to ensure seamless integration with the client's existing IT/OT infrastructure.

To be competitive for the Project Manager position, you must bring a robust mix of technical understanding, project management expertise, and strong interpersonal skills.

Must-Have Qualifications

• Proven Software PM Experience: Multiple years of experience managing complex software deployments, SaaS implementations, or enterprise IT projects.
• Agile Expertise: Deep familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies, with a demonstrated ability to run sprints, standups, and retrospective meetings.
• Exceptional Communication Skills: Strong English communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business value for executive-level stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Management: A track record of successfully managing demanding enterprise clients and navigating complex organizational structures.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Industrial Domain Knowledge: Prior experience working in or with asset-heavy industries such as oil and gas, energy, manufacturing, or maritime.
• Technical Background: A basic understanding of cloud architectures (AWS, Azure, GCP), data pipelines, or industrial data systems (such as SCADA or asset registries).
• Local Language Skills: Proficiency in Norwegian or other Scandinavian languages is highly advantageous for roles based in the Oslo headquarters, particularly when interfacing with local clients.

Q: How difficult is the interview process for the Project Manager role? A: Candidates generally rate the difficulty as average to difficult. The initial stages are straightforward, but the case study presentation is highly rigorous and requires significant preparation to pass.

Q: What is the typical timeline from the first HR screen to an offer? A: The process usually takes between 4 to 6 weeks. However, candidates have occasionally experienced delays during holiday seasons or high-volume hiring periods. It is highly recommended to follow up politely if you do not hear back within a week of an interview.

Q: How technical do I need to be to succeed as a PM at Cognite? A: You do not need to write code, but you must be comfortable discussing data integration, cloud environments, and software architecture. You will work closely with highly technical teams, so being able to understand their challenges and translate them to clients is essential.

Q: What is the culture like for Project Managers based in the Oslo office? A: The Oslo office offers a collaborative, highly professional environment with a strong emphasis on work-life balance, typical of Norwegian work culture. However, because Cognite is a fast-growing international tech company, you will also experience a dynamic, innovation-driven pace that sets it apart from traditional Norwegian "A4" corporate jobs.

To maximize your chances of securing an offer, keep these practical, insider tips in mind as you prepare:

• Tailor your resume to the website: Before your HR screen, read Cognite's website thoroughly. Identify key terms, customer success stories, and product details, and weave them naturally into your resume walkthrough.
• Over-prepare for the case study presentation: Do not just focus on the content of your slides; pay close attention to the visual design, layout, and structure. Use clean graphics and templates to present your ideas professionally.
• Prepare for quiet interviewers: During the case study presentation, the panel may be quiet and ask very few questions. Do not let this throw you off. Maintain your energy, present confidently, and guide them through your methodology.

• Bring concrete stories: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your behavioral answers. Have stories ready that specifically highlight how you handled difficult colleagues, resolved vendor conflicts, and managed client bottlenecks.

The Project Manager role at Cognite is an exceptional opportunity to drive real-world impact in some of the world's most critical industries. By leading the deployment of Cognite Data Fusion (CDF), you will help industrial giants transition into the digital age, solving complex data challenges that have direct economic and environmental consequences.

To succeed in this process, focus your energy on mastering the case study presentation, sharpening your behavioral storytelling, and demonstrating a clear understanding of how to manage complex software delivery lifecycles. With targeted preparation and a confident, structured approach, you can stand out as a top-tier candidate.

The salary insights above represent typical compensation structures for this role. When evaluating an offer, remember to consider the complete package—including health benefits, pension contributions, and local work-life perks—which form a substantial part of the overall compensation philosophy at Cognite. For additional interview insights, detailed company reviews, and preparation resources, you can explore further on Dataford.