Lead Engineer – Refrigeration & Cooling Systems

Leonardo UK Ltd; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in the UK is seeking a hands-on engineer to design and maintain refrigeration and cooling systems. This role involves collaboration across teams and offers hybrid working with strong support for career development. Ideal candidates will have a technical background, ideally a degree in engineering, and relevant practical experience. Key benefits include flexible working arrangements and a comprehensive company benefits package.

Benefits

Access to private healthcare

25 days holidays plus bank holidays

Discounted gym membership

Free access to 4000 online courses

Bonus scheme

Qualifications

• Background in refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pumps, or pressure systems.
• Experience in automotive, aerospace, marine, or data center cooling systems.
• Eligible for full security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain refrigeration and thermal management systems.
• Support system integration and testing at various locations.
• Present engineering solutions to internal teams.

Skills

Technical skill

Hands-on ability

Practical engineering judgement

Education

Degree qualification or HND/HNC equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Overview

Job Description:

We’re seeking a practical, hands-on engineer with expertise in refrigeration and cooling systems to join our team at Leonardo Luton. You’ll play a key role in delivering high-performance cooling solutions and test equipment for advanced aerospace platforms.

Working within a multi-disciplinary environment, you’ll collaborate across teams in the Electronic Warfare Business and support both UK-based and European operations. This is a fantastic opportunity to grow into a subject matter expert in a specialised and high-impact field, with strong support for career development and hybrid working.

Responsibilities

• Designing, building, documenting, testing, qualifying, installing, and maintaining refrigeration and other thermal management systems for military aviation platforms.
• Supporting system integration and testing at Leonardo facilities, customer sites, and occasionally on operational bases.
• Presenting engineering solutions and investigation findings to both internal teams and external partners.
• Collaborating with European and international partners on joint development or support projects.
• Progressing toward recognised status as a Competent Person and subject matter expert in cooling and pressure systems.

What we need from you

We’re looking for someone with a combination of technical skill, hands-on ability, and practical engineering judgement. The ideal candidate will have:

Qualifications & Background

• Ideally a Degree qualification, but an HND/HNC with sufficient practical experience will also be considered.
• Background in one or more of the following areas: Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, Thermal Management, or Pressure Systems.
• Experience in Automotive, Aerospace, Marine, Electronics/Data Centre and/or Process cooling systems would be an advantage.

Technical Skills & Experience

• Experience with cooling technologies such as refrigeration systems, chilled water/glycol loops, oil cooling, and potentially cascade systems.
• Understanding of high- and low-pressure systems, pressure-enthalpy diagrams, and fluid properties.
• Skilled in assembling and testing systems, including pressure and leak testing.
• Familiarity with engineering documentation (e.g. circuit diagrams, safety/risk assessments, user manuals, defect reports).
• Knowledge of relevant UK, European, and international standards related to environmental controls, pressure systems, and REACH compliance.

Soft Skills & Tools

• Team working approach with a high degree of personal integrity.
• Demonstrate a high level of practical workmanship skills in the assembly, test and repair of small mechanical and fluid devices (including the practice of tool control and recording of such work).
• Well experienced in Microsoft software packages, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of engineering document management and project management fundamentals.
• A full UK driving licence is required.

Security Clearance

You must be eligible for full security clearance. For more information and guidance please visit: GOV.UK security vetting guidance (no external link provided).

Life at Leonardo

With a company funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.

• Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us
• Company funded flexible benefits: Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance)
• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year
• Pension: Award winning pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution)
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme with access to free mental health support, financial wellbeing support and network groups to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Reservists, Carers)
• Lifestyle: Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme
• Training: Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera
• Referral Incentive: You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member
• Bonus: Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below

For a full list of our Company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 8,000 are based at 8 sites throughout the UK.

At Leonardo UK, we believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment unlocks our people’s full potential and drives innovation and creativity. We work hard to offer a welcoming, accessible and inclusive place to work for all of our people, creating a culture where everyone can thrive, feel safe and have a sense of belonging and connection.

This is a great opportunity to bring your talents and form an integral part of Leonardo’s future. We can help you develop your skills and offer great opportunities to develop and grow, so why not join us.

Primary Location: GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type: Contract

Hybrid Working: Hybrid