Chief Systems Architect & Engineering Leader

Leonardo; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave

Pension (15%)

Mental health support

Courses access

Bonus scheme

Coursera/LinkedIn Learning

Referral programme

Flexible benefits

Hybrid work

Job summary

Leonardo in Southampton seeks a Chief Systems Engineer to lead governance, direction, and risk mitigation across airborne and naval systems. You’ll guide architecture, model verification, and lifecycle management while coaching engineers and collaborating with UK stakeholders to deliver complex programs.

The role requires strong leadership, communication, and hands-on expertise in modelling and system integration, with a security clearance path and hybrid working on site.

Qualifications

• Experience leading governance for Systems Engineering across large programmes.
• Ability to guide architecture, verification and lifecycle management.
• Proven track record in stakeholder expectations and integration work.
• Strong leadership and decision-making in complex environments.
• Excellent communication and collaboration with internal/external stakeholders.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Act as focal point for Systems Engineering governance and guidance.
• Provide direction and coaching to engineers across lifecycle stages.
• Influence artefact development, technical direction and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Lead verification and validation strategies across projects.
• Promote agile mindset and rapid learning across teams.

Skills

Systems governance

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Systems thinking

Communication

LCM processes

Tools

Cameo Systems Modeler

Matlab

Simulink

DOORS

Polarion

Job description

Leonardo in Southampton seeks a Chief Systems Engineer to lead governance, direction, and risk mitigation across airborne and naval systems. You’ll guide architecture, model verification, and lifecycle management while coaching engineers and collaborating with UK stakeholders to deliver complex programs.

The role requires strong leadership, communication, and hands-on expertise in modelling and system integration, with a security clearance path and hybrid working on site.