Head of Engineering Capability (Process, Tools & Governance)
Leonardo
Get more replies from employers
Send a job-specific resume in minutes.
Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Leonardo UK, based in Luton, is seeking an Head of Engineering Capability to shape and govern engineering processes, tools and data across the organisation. You will drive data-driven governance, embed lifecycle integrity, and lead cross-functional change initiatives to boost efficiency and delivery.
You will chair councils, develop dashboards and lead strategic collaboration with Digital Engineering, IT and Programme teams, delivering measurable improvements while maturing the engineering
Qualifications
- Degree level education or equivalent experience.
- Related professional qualifications are beneficial.
- Minimum of 10 years in engineering management focusing on governance and process improvement.
- Experience with resourcing, loading and forward load calculations; IBP and ODP inputs.
- Familiar with Lean, Six Sigma methodologies for improvements and waste reduction.
- Experience in project management and lifecycle processes (waterfall, Agile, hybrid).
Responsibilities
- Chair the Engineering Process Council and lead development of processes and standards.
- Simplify and modernise ways of working to improve efficiency and delivery.
- Embed systems engineering and lifecycle design integrity principles across the framework.
- Support audits and ensure regulatory and customer requirements compliance.
- Monitor KPI performance and report insights to leadership and governance forums.
- Develop a data-driven governance framework for capability and performance.
- Create dashboards and analytics to support decision-making.
- Lead governance forums on process compliance and continuous improvement.
- Identify opportunities to enhance performance through data and measurable outcomes.
- Drive integrated engineering ecosystem connecting processes, tools and data.
- Partner with Digital Engineering, IT and data teams to improve automation and traceability.
- Ensure tool adoption and contribute to tool strategy and digital transformation.
- Lead adoption of new tools and governance practices; coach and engage stakeholders.
- Collaborate with engineering leaders to deliver improvement opportunities and standardisation.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
As Head of Engineering Capability (Process, Tools & Governance), you'll play a key role in shaping the future of engineering across the organisation. Spearheading the advancement of engineering processes, tools, data and governance, you'll help create a connected, high-performing engineering environment that enables teams to deliver with greater efficiency, consistency and confidence.
- Chair the Engineering Process Council and lead on the development of engineering processes and standards.
- Simplify and modernise engineering ways of working to improve efficiency, compliance and delivery outcomes.
- Embed systems engineering, lifecycle management and design integrity principles across the engineering framework.
- Support engineering audits and ensure compliance with regulatory, customer and business requirements.
- Monitor process effectiveness and KPI performance, reporting insights to engineering leadership and governance forums.
- Develop and implement a data-driven governance framework for engineering capability and performance.
- Create dashboards, analytics and reporting to provide actionable insights and support decision-making.
- Lead governance forums focused on process compliance, engineering quality and continuous improvement.
- Identify opportunities to enhance engineering performance through data and measurable outcomes.
- Drive the development of an integrated engineering ecosystem connecting processes, tools and data.
- Partner with Digital Engineering, IT and data teams to improve automation, traceability and real-time visibility.
- Ensure engineering tools support process objectives and are adopted consistently across the business.
- Contribute to engineering tool strategy and cross-functional digital transformation initiatives.
- Lead the adoption of new tools, processes and governance practices across engineering teams.
- Build capability through coaching, training and stakeholder engagement.
- Partner with engineering leaders to identify and deliver improvement opportunities.
- Champion a culture of standardisation, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Act as the key interface between Design Integrity, Engineering, Quality, Digital Engineering and Programme teams.
- Align improvement initiatives with business priorities and strategic objectives.
- Build good relationships with senior leaders, SMEs and process owners to drive lasting change.
- Communicate and embed engineering improvements across the organisation, ensuring consistent adoption and engagement.
We're looking for a leader with experience in engineering management, digital engineering tools, product lifecycle management (PLM), process improvement and organisational change.
- Excellent technical background with experience in engineering transformation and modern practices.
- Skilled in monitoring and analysing KPIs to measure productivity and drive improvements using data-driven insights.
- Experience integrating engineering tools, digital workflows, and data systems.
- Familiar with Lean, Six Sigma and other methodologies and techniques associated with improvements, waste reduction and process optimisation.
- Experience of project management, engineering management and lifecycle processes such as waterfall, Agile and hybrid applications, inc. tailoring and scaling.
- Minimum of 10 years in engineering management, focusing on governance and process improvement.
- Experience of resourcing, loading and forward load calculations and analysis. Understand IBP and ODP process and inputs.
- Proven experience in process improvement, governance, and leadership roles.
- Ability to lead productive meetings and discussions.
- Degree level education or equivalent experience.
- Related professional qualifications are beneficial.
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
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 UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.
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.
GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300
GB - Basildon, GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane, GB - Lincoln, GB - London, GB - Luton - Cap. Green L350, GB - Southampton
Permanent
Hybrid
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
