Lead Systems Engineer

Leonardo UK Ltd; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Aerospace and Defence is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to drive the development of innovative Mission Data Systems. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise in systems engineering, stakeholder management, and a commitment to delivering robust engineering solutions within a collaborative team environment.

Benefits

Generous leave with flexi-days

Award-winning pension scheme

Free mental health support

Access to 4,000+ online courses

Financial reward for referrals

Flexible benefits package

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience leading engineering design projects.
• Experience developing software systems through the engineering lifecycle.
• Demonstrated ability in stakeholder management and integration.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities for mission data systems.
• Develop and document system requirements and design.
• Mentor less experienced engineers in the team.

Skills

Problem Definition

Stakeholder Management

Requirements engineering and management

Software system integration and verification

Model Based System Engineering

Education

Degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

CAMEO tool suite

Job description

Job Description:

Your impact

Be a leader in the development of the next generation of Mission Data Systems. We are looking for Lead Systems Engineer to help develop future Mission systems to enable our airborne self-protection and counter measures equipment to continue to provide proven self-defence for drone, rotary and fixed-wing platforms operating in increasingly complex and hostile environments.

What you will do:

• Work alongside key stakeholders to develop the system requirements and design

• Liaise with parallel programmes to determine opportunities for reuse and savings

• Lead and deliver the systemes engineering activities, closly related to ensure successful mission system product and system delivery

• Closely collaborate with the software and specialty engineering teams to deliver the mission data systems

• Develop and deliver engineering documents, reports and presentations for customers and industry partners

• Manage the planning and execution of systems engineering work packages

• Contribute to project planning, risk management and bidding/estimating activities

• Coach and mentor less experienced systems engineers on their professional development paths

What you’ll bring

Talent and experience as a systems engineer, with hands-on experience of leading the development of engineering design projects through the engineering lifecycle managing a diverse set of stakeholder needs to achieve the desired outcomes.

Ideally, demonstrable experience in:

• Problem Definition

• Developing and delivering Software Systems through the whole lifecycle

• Use of Model Based System Engineering (preferably using the CAMEO tool suite) in that system delivery

• Stakeholder Management, both internal and external

• Requirements engineering and management

• Software system integration and verification

• Experience of working with related specialisms such as safety, security, human factors etc to deliver robust systems

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

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 - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid