Graduate Systems Engineer (Customer Support)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Flexi-days

Pension 15%

Mental health support

ESOP

Bonus scheme

Flexible benefits £500

Job summary

Leonardo UK Ltd is recruiting for Graduate Systems Engineers within the CS3 line, supporting design, testing and capability development across UK sites in Luton or Edinburgh. The 18‑month programme offers hands‑on experience on real projects, coaching from CS3 managers, and opportunities to pursue professional registration while engaging in STEM activities with local schools.

Roles involve working on customer support solutions for helicopters and fast jets, with a culture that encourages

Qualifications

• 2:2 Bachelor's or integrated Master's in Engineering, Physics, Maths, CS or a STEM field.
• Interest in engineering and developing a career in Systems Engineering.
• Demonstrated curiosity and logical problem solving.
• Collaborative approach and willingness to learn from others.
• Organise and prioritise work, take ownership and seek guidance when needed.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Investigate problems, generate ideas and contribute within your team.
• Develop practical Systems Engineering skills across design, development, integration and verification of complex systems.
• Apply theoretical knowledge to real engineering challenges across the lifecycle.
• Work with customers and stakeholders to understand needs and operational context.
• Capture, analyse and manage requirements and inform design decisions.
• Use data analysis, modelling, visualization and dashboards to support decisions.
• Deliver high-quality technical work within cost and schedule constraints.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, methods and tools.

Skills

Curiosity

Self-motivation

Communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Time management

Proactive learning

Education

Bachelor's/MSc in STEM

MSc/PhD in STEM

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 have several exciting opportunities for Graduate Systems Engineers within our Customer Support and Service Solutions (CS3) line of business. CS3 operates across the UK, developing and delivering innovative support solutions and services that help our customers keep critical capabilities available wherever and whenever they are needed.

Systems Engineering in CS3 is varied, and your role will cover one or more of the following areas:

• Support Solution Design: Help to understand customer needs and develop the support solutions and services that enable complex equipment to remain available and effective throughout its life. This could involve requirements, modelling, analysis and conceptual design, including work associated with Typhoon and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
• Technical Support: Develop hands‑on engineering experience through the testing, investigation and repair of some of our in‑service equipment across helicopters and fast jets. You could work with electronic‑based systems and associated test equipment, while developing your understanding of how individual products and equipment contribute to the wider support system.
• CS3 Engineering Capability Development: Help us improve how we engineer and deliver support solutions across CS3. You could explore new technologies, analyse and visualise data, develop engineering methods and tools, or investigate new approaches that improve the services we provide to our customers.

You do not need to decide which of these areas is right for you before applying. During the application process, we'll explore your interests, strengths and aspirations with you to help identify where you could be the best fit.

We are committed to developing our graduates into leading technical or business professionals. Our 18-month Graduate Programme will give you the opportunity to work on exciting and challenging projects alongside experienced engineers and industry leaders, while building both your technical and professional skills.

You won't be expected to know everything when you join. As a Graduate Systems Engineer in CS3, you'll receive coaching and support from your team and our dedicated CS3 Early Careers Manager. As your knowledge, experience and confidence grow, you'll take on increasing technical responsibility and ownership. We will also support you through your preferred route towards professional registration and chartership, and you'll have opportunities to get involved in STEM activities with local schools.

This role can be based at either our Luton or Edinburgh site. It is likely to include some travel within the UK and potentially overseas, providing opportunities to work directly with our customers and gain an understanding of their operational environment. Leonardo also operates a Custom (hybrid) working model that allows employees to split their time between attending the workplace and working remotely, subject to the needs of the role, team and customer.

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 a Graduate Systems Engineer (Customer Support)

Dependent on the specific role, you will have the opportunity to do a combination of the following:

• Use and develop your technical knowledge to investigate problems, generate ideas and contribute proactively within your team.
• Develop practical Systems Engineering skills in the design, development, integration and verification of complex systems and support solutions, while building your understanding of the processes and technologies involved.
• Apply your academic knowledge to real engineering challenges across the engineering lifecycle, learning to deliver high-quality technical work within agreed cost and schedule constraints.
• Work collaboratively with engineers and specialists from multiple disciplines, learning from their expertise and contributing your own ideas and perspectives.
• Work with customers and stakeholders to understand their needs, operational context and the problems they need us to solve.
• Help to capture, analyse and manage customer and stakeholder requirements, and understand how these influence the design and development of a solution.
• Use data analysis, modelling, visualisation and dashboards to support engineering decisions and communicate insights.
• Complete your work to a high standard and in accordance with appropriate engineering processes, procedures and standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering processes, methods and tools, and contribute ideas for how we can work more effectively.

The exact activities will vary depending on the team and area you join, giving you the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of Systems Engineering while building your technical knowledge and practical experience.

What we need from you

You will need:

• A minimum 2:2 Bachelor's or Integrated Master's degree, or a higher degree such as an MSc or PhD, in a relevant discipline. This could include Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or another STEM subject.
• An interest in engineering and enthusiasm for developing a career in Systems Engineering.

We are also looking for people who can demonstrate some of the following through their studies, university projects, work experience, extracurricular activities or other experiences:

• Curiosity and a logical approach to solving unfamiliar problems.
• Self‑motivation and a proactive approach to learning and problem solving.
• The ability to consider both the detail of a problem and the wider system or context.
• A collaborative approach and willingness to learn from, and share ideas with, people from different technical and professional backgrounds.
• The ability to organise and prioritise your work and take ownership of tasks, seeking guidance where appropriate.
• Confidence to ask questions, constructively challenge ideas and speak up when something doesn't look right.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical information and ideas to different audiences.
• A willingness to seek feedback, learn from experience and develop increasing independence as your knowledge and confidence grow.
• An enthusiasm for contributing ideas and exploring different ways to solve technical and customer problems.

You do not need previous experience of the defence or aerospace industry. We are interested in your potential, your approach to problem solving and your willingness to learn. This is not an exhaustive list, and we encourage you to apply even if you don't yet have experience in all of the areas above. We recognise that, as a graduate, you are at the beginning of your career. A positive attitude, curiosity and a willingness to learn are some of the most important qualities we're looking for.

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 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.

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, key contributors in shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

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
• 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

Additional Locations

GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid