Head of Digital and DevOps

Leonardo UK Ltd; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company in Bristol is looking for a Head of Digital Engineering to provide technical leadership and support delivery projects. The role requires expertise in complex ICT project delivery to the UK Government and Defence, alongside strong leadership and collaboration skills. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including flexible working options and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous leave

Pension scheme up to 15% employer contribution

Mental health support

Bonus scheme

Online courses access

Financial rewards for referrals

Flexible benefits package

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Experience delivering complex ICT and systems integration projects to UK Government and Defence.
• Strong understanding of ICT system development, operating models, and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience leading an engineering function, including coaching and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership as the Technical Design Authority for Digital Engineering projects.
• Lead the Digital Engineering Practice in career pathway definitions.
• Support project delivery and develop methodologies for business winning capabilities.

Skills

Complex ICT project delivery

Leadership and collaboration

Agile/DevOps methodologies

Cross-functional communication

Job description

Overview

Job Description: The Head of Digital Engineering will provide technical and functional leadership across the Digital Engineering Practice as well as support the introduction of a DevOps approach across the wider delivery function. This leadership role will report to the VP Delivery and will work closely with the other Practice Leads in the Delivery function, to implement and assure common and repeatable delivery approaches for our products to customers. The ideal candidate will have experience in complex systems integration and ICT delivery projects to UK Government and Defence, and an understanding of organisational design and change.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership - This role will act as the Technical Design Authority for Digital Engineering projects, working closely with the Divisional CTO who is the Independent Technical Authority and Product Owner for the Division, to provide assurance over what we deliver to our customers.
• This will require working with the other Practice Leads to understand and provide technical assurance over delivery processes and output across a diverse range of projects and programmes.

• Talent and Capability - Lead the Digital Engineering Practice working with the People and Capability Lead to support our workforce across a range of job roles.
• Within Digital Engineering, we have a range of specialisms and you will support the leaders in these specialisms and the People and Capability Lead with defining and implementing career pathways and job roles in line with the wider Career Progression Framework.

• Project Delivery - This is a delivery focused role and the Head of Digital Engineering will be expected to lead and support the delivery of projects to customers as required.

• Servitisation and Ways of Working - Support the VP Delivery with developing common methodologies and artefacts around our Delivery approach and how we articulate this to customers, to improve our business winning capabilities.
• Develop ways of working and detailed guidance on technical delivery approaches for Digital Engineering of our Products, working closely with the Divisional CTO.

What you'll bring

• Experience in delivering complex ICT and systems integration projects to UK Government and Defence.
• Deep understanding of ICT system development including operating models and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong leadership collaboration and cross functional communication skills.
• Experience leading an engineering function and undertaking people related leadership activities such as coaching, mentoring, performance management, resource planning and supporting in the creation of career and skills frameworks.
• Familiarity with Agile / DevOps methodologies, preferably at high security classifications.
• Experience in business change within complex organisation.

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 - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid