Graduate Hardware Engineer

Leonardo UK Ltd; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Welcome bonus £1,000

Exit bonus £1,000

Temporary Accommodation Allowance (TAA

Hybrid working

Job summary

Leonardo UK Ltd in Luton is launching a structured 18-month Graduate Programme designed to accelerate your development from graduate to professional engineer. From day one you’ll contribute to real projects, work with industry experts, and gain hands-on experience across the full hardware development lifecycle in a hybrid role.

The programme is based in Luton with occasional travel within the UK. Starting salary is £34,000 per annum, plus a £1,000 welcome bonus and potential £1,000 exit bonus on

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:2 STEM degree (BSc, Integrated MSc or PhD).
• Interest in electronic hardware design or embedded systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Clear communication and collaborative mindset.
• Experience with design, simulation, or lab testing via university projects or placements.

Responsibilities

• Design analogue, digital and mixed-signal hardware for defence platforms.
• Support hardware development across the lifecycle from concept to qualification.
• Create circuit designs, schematics and supporting analyses with industry tools.
• Conduct lab testing and validate using specialist test equipment.
• Analyse technical data and present findings to engineering teams.
• Collaborate across systems, firmware, software, RF and mechanical teams.
• Contribute to design reviews and customer deliverables.
• Develop understanding of the full engineering lifecycle from concept to manufacture.

Skills

Hardware design interest

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

STEM degree (2:2+)

Tools

Circuit design tools

Simulation software

Job description

Job Description: Your impact Are you ready to launch your career and make an impact on real-world projects from day one? At Leonardo, we’re looking for graduates who want to be part of something extraordinary - shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety. We are committed to developing our graduates into leading technical or business professionals, and as such we will also support you through your preferred route for professional development. Our structured 18-month Graduate Programme is designed to accelerate your development from graduate to professional engineer. From day one, you’ll contribute to real projects, work alongside industry experts, and gain hands‑on experience across the full hardware development lifecycle. This opportunity is based in Luton, with flexible and hybrid working arrangements available. Occasional travel within the UK and overseas may be required to support technical reviews, trials and customer engagements. On joining, you will receive a starting salary of £34,000 per annum, plus a £1,000 welcome bonus. You’ll also be eligible for a £1,000 exit bonus upon successful completion of the programme. In addition, you may be eligible for a Temporary Accommodation Allowance (TAA), subject to specific criteria.

What You'll Do

• Designing and developing analogue, digital and mixed-signal hardware solutions for a range of defence platforms
• Supporting hardware development activities throughout the engineering lifecycle, from concept and detailed design through to integration, verification and qualification
• Creating circuit designs, schematics and supporting analyses using industry-standard design and simulation tools
• Conducting laboratory testing, debugging and validation using specialist electronic test equipment
• Analysing technical data and presenting findings to engineering teams and stakeholders
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across systems, firmware, software, RF and mechanical engineering to integrate hardware solutions into larger products
• Contributing to technical documentation, design reviews and customer deliverables
• Developing an understanding of the complete engineering lifecycle, from concept through to manufacture and in-service support

What We're Looking For

A minimum 2:2 Bachelor’s degree, Integrated Master’s degree, MSc or PhD in a relevant STEM discipline, such as: Electronic Engineering Electrical Engineering Robotics Engineering AI & Cybernetics Physics or Applied Physics Engineering Physics Mathematics or Applied Mathematics Communications Engineering Information Engineering Space Engineering Computer Communication and Networks Cyber Security Related disciplines

• An interest in electronic hardware design, circuit development or embedded systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• The ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively
• A collaborative approach and willingness to learn from experienced engineers
• Experience of design, simulation, programming or laboratory-based testing gained through university projects, placements or personal interests (desirable, not essential)
• Familiarity with circuit design, schematic capture or simulation tools is beneficial but not essential, as training will be provided

You’ll Benefit From

• Structured professional development and technical training
• Support from experienced engineers, mentors and the wider graduate community
• Opportunities to work on meaningful projects with real customer impact
• Development towards professional registration, where applicable
• Exposure to a wide range of technologies, products and engineering discipline
• Networking opportunities across Leonardo’s UK business
• Security Clearance

Security Clearance & Vetting

Many of our roles are subject to security and export control restrictions set by UK Government Security requirements and customer obligations. As a result, and in line with the UK Government Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) requirements, all successful applicants will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record declaration information and employment and/or education history verification for the previous five years. For staff operating in more sensitive posts, there is an additional range of personnel security controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV). As part of this process, a range of factors may be considered, including an individual's background, travel history, nationality, previous nationalities held and other information relevant to the vetting assessment. To be eligible for National Security Vetting at SC level, applicants will generally be expected to have continuously resided in the UK for the previous five years. For DV clearance, this is typically ten years. In some circumstances, time spent overseas may be accepted, with additional overseas checks. Additional vetting requirements may apply upon appointment.

Please visit https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting for more information and guidance.

Why Join Us

• 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
• Rewarding performance: All employees are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Join in our success: Our annual Employee Stock Ownership Plan provides you the opportunity to own shares in Leonardo.
• Tailored perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• For a full list of our company benefits please visit https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/company-benefits

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, communities and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Primary Location: GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type: Permanent Hybrid Working: Hybrid International, multicultural, innovative, technological: this is Leonardo.

The company’s passionate and talented team is strongly influenced by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) expertise, with a diverse range of experience that enables colleagues to share knowledge and know-how across the generations. Leonardo always wants to expand its talent pool, here you can find the right opportunity for you!