Lead Systems Engineer

Leonardo; Basildon; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to drive technical delivery for a complex communications system at their Basildon site. The ideal candidate will act as the design authority, lead various engineering activities, and collaborate across software, RF, and hardware teams. This hybrid position requires strong experience in Systems Engineering and excellent communication skills. Applicants are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet all desired experiences.

Qualifications

• Strong experience applying Systems Engineering across the full lifecycle.
• Experience acting as a technical authority owning system architectures.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as IPT’s Design Authority for the HF communications system.
• Lead technical meetings and contribute to customer communications.
• Collaborate with software, RF, hardware and test teams.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Customer requirements elicitation

Technical authority

Communication

Technical decision making

Software development understanding

Job description

Job Description

We are recruiting for a Lead Systems Engineer to drive LEUK technical delivery of a complex, in‑service Communications System. The role is based at our Basildon site.

Your impact

As the Lead Systems Engineer, you will act as the project team’s Design Authority, leading Systems Engineering activities and serving as the primary technical interface with stakeholders. You will support the definition, refinement and delivery of technical solutions, ensuring the system continues to meet operational needs throughout its lifecycle.

The focus of this role is to provide direction, guidance and technical authority to ensure:

• Customer requirements are fully understood, refined, decomposed and traced into system solutions
• The system architecture is clearly defined, controlled and maintained
• Technical proposals and design decisions are robust, justified and aligned with customer expectations
• System integration across software, RF and hardware elements is coherent and well managed
• Verification and validation activities demonstrate compliance with operational needs

Day‑to‑day duties

• Act as IPT’s Design Authority for the HF communications system, owning key technical decisions
• Serve as the technical point of contact for the customer, leading and contributing to frequent technical meetings and reviews
• Lead LEUK’s effort in the elicitation, definition, refinement and decomposition of customer requirements
• Define, refine and maintain system architectures and interface definitions
• Provide technical input into bids, proposals and change activities
• Work across a demanding and complex area of the business, supporting in‑service capability and future development
• Collaborate with software, RF, hardware and test teams to ensure end‑to‑end system coherence
• Undertake hands‑on technical activity where required, including configuring reference systems for test and demonstration
• Support and deliver verification, validation and acceptance activities across the lifecycle
• Ensure through‑life considerations such as safety, security, supportability and obsolescence are addressed in line with company processes

What You’ll Bring

• Strong experience applying Systems Engineering across the full lifecycle
• Experience acting as a technical authority or owning system architectures
• Experience in eliciting, refining and decomposing customer requirements
• Experience defining and evaluating technical solutions and proposals
• Working understanding of software development and its integration within complex systems
• Experience working closely with internal and external stakeholders, including customers
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly
• The confidence to make technical decisions in a complex, dynamic environment
• Motivation, tenacity and a strong sense of technical ownership
• Knowledge or experience of HF communications systems (desirable)
• Some level of RF engineering understanding (desirable)
• Experience with in‑service or operational defence systems (desirable)
• Experience with Systems Integration, Test and Demonstration activities (desirable)
• Domain experience in Telecommunications, RF, IP Networking or related areas (desirable)
• Experience managing cost, schedule and quality implications in large‑scale integration programmes (desirable)
• We welcome applicants even if they do not have every listed skill; a positive attitude and willingness to learn are paramount

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Additional security controls under the National Security Vetting (NSV) programme may apply, including eligibility 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.

Primary Location: GB - Basildon

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid