Principal Data Control Engineer

Leonardo UK Ltd; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave

Pension scheme

Mental health support

Bonus scheme

Online courses

Flexible benefits

Hybrid working

Job summary

Leonardo UK Ltd in the UK is seeking a Principal Data Manager to govern critical engineering and programme data across defence programmes. You will work with engineering, programme, quality and configuration teams to ensure data is identified, controlled, protected, and traceable throughout the lifecycle.

You will lead data management activities, implement DMPs, oversee audits, and mentor Data Management Engineers, with exposure to cryptography and export controls.

Qualifications

• Experience in data management within defence, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries.
• Understanding of data lifecycle control, document management, and information governance.
• Experience creating and following Data Management Plans and organisational procedures.
• Experience handling sensitive, export-controlled data.

Responsibilities

• Deliver data management activities in line with approved Data Management Plans (DMPs).
• Ensure engineering and programme data is identified, structured, version-controlled, approved, and accessible.
• Maintain data status, integrity, and visibility across programme datasets.
• Ensure compliance with governance, contractual requirements, and DMPs.
• Lead development, implementation, and maintenance of programme DMPs.
• Monitor compliance, manage deviations, and provide evidence for audits and reviews.
• Lead integration between data management and configuration management systems.
• Ensure data security, export control, protective marking, and access controls.
• Lead internal, customer, and regulatory audits and corrective actions.
• Oversee data management throughout the product lifecycle ensuring completeness and accuracy.

Skills

Data governance

Data management

Sensitive data handling

Regulatory compliance

Audit readiness

Tools

PLM systems

Document management systems

Data security tools

Job description

Job Description: Your Impact: Join us as a Principal Data Manager and play a key role in ensuring the integrity, control, and governance of critical engineering and programme data across complex defence and aerospace programmes. Reporting to the Lead Configuration & Data Manager, you’ll ensure the day-to-day delivery of data management activities, guaranteeing information is accurately identified, controlled, protected, and traceable throughout the product lifecycle. Working closely with engineering, programme, quality, and configuration teams, you will implement and maintain data management practices in line with organisational policies, industry standards, and business strategy. You will also support compliance, audit readiness, and continuous improvement initiatives, helping to ensure that programme data remains secure, accessible, and fit for purpose throughout its lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver data management activities in line with approved Data Management Plans (DMPs).
• Ensure engineering and programme data is correctly identified, structured, version-controlled, approved, and accessible.
• Maintain accurate data status, integrity, and visibility across programme datasets.
• Ensure compliance with organisational governance, contractual requirements, and DMPs.
• Actively lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of programme DMPs.
• Monitor compliance, manage deviations, and provide evidence for audits and reviews.
• Lead integration between data management and configuration management systems.
• Ensure data security, export control, protective marking, and access controls are correctly applied.
• Lead internal, customer, and regulatory audits, including corrective actions.
• Lead data management throughout the full product lifecycle and ensure data completeness, accuracy, and approval status to meet programme milestones.
• Collaborate with engineering, configuration, quality, and programme teams.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to Data Management Engineers.
• Exposure to cryptography.

What you’ll bring

• Proven experience in data management within defence, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries.
• Thorough understanding of data lifecycle control, document management, and information governance.
• Experience in creating and working to Data Management Plans and organisational procedures.
• Experience in working with sensitive, classified, or export-controlled data.

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.

Desirable Experience

• Experience integrating data management with configuration and change control.
• Knowledge of airworthiness, safety-critical systems, or certification environments.
• Familiarity with PLM and document management tools.
• Experience supporting audits and compliance activities.

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 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.

Primary Location: GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300 Contract Type: Permanent Hybrid Working: Onsite International, multicultural, innovative, technological: this is Leonardo.

The company’s passionate and talented team is strongly influenced by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) expertise, with a diverse range of experience that enables colleagues to share knowledge and know-how across the generations. Leonardo always wants to expand its talent pool, here you can find the right opportunity for you!