Lead Systems Engineer

Job Description:

Do you love solving complex problems? Thrive in a collaborative environment? Want to make an impact with cutting-edge technology?

Join us as a Lead Systems Engineer and work on real-world challenges, designing solutions that power the future of defence technology.

If you have applied engineering experience and a systems-thinking mindset, we want to hear from you! Whether you’re an expert in a specific area or have broad knowledge across the systems engineering lifecycle, your skills matter.

Your Impact

• Protecting RAF aircraft like Typhoon and Apache
• Advancing next-gen air combat with Team Tempest and GCAP
• Developing future electronic warfare systems
• Harnessing AI/ML to unlock intelligence from vast data

What you'll bring

• Systems Engineering (e.g. problem definition, architecture, MBSE, integration, verification & validation)
• Domain Expertise (e.g. digital signal processing, RF systems, AI/ML, multi-sensor fusion, electronic warfare)
• Collaboration with specialists in safety, security, and reliability to deliver robust solutions

What you’ll do

• Defining and developing system requirements
• Leading concept studies and system trade-offs
• Prototyping new technologies
• Solving integration challenges and testing solutions
• Working with industry partners and sharing knowledge

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), along with an additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV), including meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: . Due to the nature of the work and its connections to UK Defence strategy, applicants must have five years UK Residency and hold a UK Passport.

Salary Range: 

• Lead Engineer £67,000 to £81,000

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.

• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.

• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).

• Rewarding Performance : All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.

• Never Stop Learning : Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.

• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.

• Tailored Perks : Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.

• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

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Primary Location:

GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Additional Locations:

GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid