Chief Systems Engineer

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

Job Description
Leonardo has an exciting and immediate vacancy for a Chief Systems Engineer, someone with a passion for contributing to the UK's Defence Industry and making impactful change. The role is based on a hybrid basis at our purpose‑built site in Southampton, with an on‑site presence essential and flexible working arrangements available.

What You’ll Do

The Chief Systems Engineer acts as the focal point for Systems Engineering Governance and ensures our capability trends positively. You will provide direction, guidance and expertise, provide a clear point of contact for Systems Engineering, and support the Business Area Head of Engineering Projects, Chief Engineer and the Line of Business Head of Systems Engineering.

• Your teams assess problems completely
• They reuse techniques and artefacts across the portfolio of projects
• They manage complexity through well‑architected systems
• They predict and mitigate emergent behaviours at system or integrated levels
• Projects create and enact the correct verification and validation strategy

Day to Day Duties

• Influence the development of Engineering artefacts, technical direction and stakeholder satisfaction
• Work across highly demanding, complex programmes spanning the full engineering lifecycle in Airborne Comms and Naval Information & Communication System teams
• Act as focal point for systems engineering governance, supporting Lifecycle Management activities
• Provide expertise and coaching to ensure engineers understand problems and stakeholder needs at all lifecycle stages
• Ensure appropriate concepting, modelling and simulation techniques are used to inform architectures and solution options
• Influence whole‑life design considerations (Safety, Security, Manufacture, Test, Supportability, Through Life Support) in line with company processes
• Support quarterly threat and mitigation reviews across the Business Area’s project status and initiatives
• Represent Leonardo within Systems Engineering bodies such as INCOSE
• Identify trends and share lessons learned to improve quality and efficiency of future work
• Promote an agile mindset and culture of experimentation and rapid learning
• Collaborate with peers across the UK to promote continual learning and act as a change agent

What You’ll Bring

Ideally you are currently a Chief Systems Engineer or a Lead Engineer seeking an advanced role. You should be a systems thinker with:

• Experience applying governance and guidance on Systems Engineering LCM processes
• Experience working in Integrated Project Teams delivering Engineering artefacts
• Experience eliciting stakeholder expectations
• Experience creating and defining architectures
• Experience managing and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders
• Proven leadership and decision‑making skills in a high‑complexity, dynamic environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; effective influencer
• Understanding of integration, cost, schedule and quality implications and mitigations
• Motivation, tenacity and determination, and a desire to deliver results

Additional desirable experience includes:

• Model‑Based Systems Engineering tools and methodologies
• Large‑scale Systems Integration programmes with cost, schedule and quality implications
• Domain experience in Telecommunications, RF, Electronic Warfare, Electro‑Optics, Air/Land/Sea subsystem integration, Data Distribution Services, Sensor Fusion, AI/Machine Learning
• Practitioner level ability using Model Driven Engineering tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler, Matlab, Simulink, DOORS, Polarion

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Additional Personnel Security Controls such as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, potentially requiring the Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting.

Salary

£80k to £95k. Leonardo UK operates a grade‑based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role.

Why Join Us

We offer a comprehensive, company‑funded benefits package that supports wellbeing, career development and work‑life balance.

• Generous leave with up to 12 additional flexi‑days per year
• Employer‑contributed pension scheme up to 15%
• Free access to mental health support, financial advice and inclusion networks
• Employee bonus scheme for management level and below
• Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning
• Referral programme with financial reward
• Flexible benefits up to £500 annually for healthcare, dental, family cover, tech discounts, gym memberships, etc.
• Hybrid work options with flexible hours, including hybrid working arrangements

Primary Location

GB - Southampton

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid