Graduate Hardware Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Welcome bonus

Exit bonus

Temporary Accommodation Allowance

Job summary

Leonardo is offering an 18-month Graduate Programme based in Luton with hybrid working options. Graduates will work on real hardware development projects, gaining hands-on experience across the full lifecycle and interacting with industry experts from day one.

The programme accelerates development into professional engineers with structured training, relocation support where needed, and potential travel for reviews and customer engagements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:2 or equivalent in a STEM degree (e.g., Electronic/Robotics/Physics)
• Interest in hardware design and embedded systems required
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams and communicate complex concepts

Responsibilities

• Support development of high-performance electronic hardware for defence platforms
• Contribute to design, verification, and qualification across the lifecycle
• Collaborate with systems, firmware, software, RF and mechanical engineering teams
• Assist in technical documentation and reviews
• Engage with customers during technical reviews and trials

Skills

Electronic hardware design

Circuit development

Embedded systems

Analytical skills

Communication of technical concepts

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in a STEM field

Tools

Industry-standard design & simulation tools

Job description

Job Description

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

As part of our Hardware Engineering team, you'll support the development of high-performance electronic hardware used within advanced Electronic Warfare solutions.

• 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

We're looking for curious, motivated graduates with a passion for engineering, problem solving and technology.

You should have, or be on track to achieve:

• 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

We'd also like to see:

• 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 engineersExperience 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

Our Graduate Programme

Our Graduate Programme has been designed to help you build the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to become a future engineering leader.

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

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 natio