Free Space Optical Comms Systems Engineer

Leonardo UK Ltd; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm is seeking a Systems Engineer to work on modelling airborne Free Space Optical Communication systems in Southampton. This role requires a strong technical background in engineering, physics, or maths, and experience with MATLAB. You will develop, run simulations, and collaborate with subcontractors and international partners. The position offers a hybrid work model with a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Generous leave

Award-winning pension scheme

Mental health support

Bonus scheme

Free access to online courses

Referral programme

Flexible benefits package

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Experience in analysing the performance of physical or information systems.
• Ability to communicate ideas to varied audiences.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain MATLAB models of optical based airborne communication systems.
• Run simulations to predict performance.
• Work cooperatively with subcontractors and partners.

Skills

Strong technical background in engineering, physics or maths

Experience of developing models

Good interpersonal skills

Tools

MATLAB

Job description

Job Description:

Your impact

Are you a Systems Engineer who loves contributing to the UKs Defence Industry and making impactful change? Leonardo has a fantastic opportunity for an Engineer to work on the modelling of airborne Free Space Optical Communication systems. You will be working on real Engineering problems, designing and developing solutions that sit at the heart of our products.

Our Systems Engineers span across range of activities that help pull together all the necessary engineering and technology strands into a high-performance system. As a Systems Engineer, you will bridge the gap between the theoretically possible and the practically implementable. The successful candidate work with sub-contractors and industry partners to construct a model, devise and run experiments and interpret the results.

What you’ll do

• Build and maintain MATLAB models of optical based airborne communication systems. This will involve developing some blocks as well as integrating blocks from subcontractors and industry partners.
• Investigate new approaches to achieve the customer’s requirements
• Run simulations to predict performance.
• Discuss the experiments and results internally and with external stakeholders including customers, external partners and subcontractors.
• Work cooperatively with subcontractors and international partners to achieve a common solution.
• Assembling, integrating and testing subsystems.
• Provide input to a proposal to create an internationally recognised standard for Optical Communications.

What you’ll bring

You really must have:

• Strong technical background in an engineering, physics or maths based subject.
• Experience of developing models to analyse the performance of physical or information systems.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate ideas to varied audiences.

It would be nice if you had knowledge/experience of:

• MATLAB
• Software engineering techniques
• Digital Modulation, Channel Coding and other aspects of the physical layer of a wireless communication system
• Free Space Optical Communications techniques
• Optics and optical systems

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for 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

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.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

Primary Location

GB - Southampton

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid