Principal Project Controller

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

Private healthcare

Training & development

Job summary

Leonardo UK in Edinburgh is seeking a Principal Project Controller to join the CS3 Projects Controls team. The role supports bid and project planning across sectors, with hybrid working and on-site collaboration in multiple locations.

You will develop WBS, run planning workshops, and create schedules in Primavera P6, applying calendars, coding and risk analysis. This position requires strong stakeholder engagement and leadership across teams.

Qualifications

• Extensive project controls/planning experience across varied complexity projects.
• Proficient in planning, scheduling, and risk analysis techniques.
• Experience across lifecycle phases: initiation, planning, execution.
• Ability to engage stakeholders up to VP level and lead teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop the Work Breakdown Structure with the Project or Bid Manager and stakeholders.
• Facilitate planning workshops with work package owners and functional contributors.
• Create and maintain fit-for-purpose schedules in Primavera P6 with activities, milestones, durations, logic, calendars and coding.
• Produce schedule extracts and visuals for Business Winning Reviews, Tender Vet, Phase Reviews and management reviews.
• Support or perform Schedule Risk Analysis as required by scale, risk and maturity of the opportunity.

Skills

Planning & Scheduling

AGILE Methodologies

Primavera P6

SAP

Stakeholder Engagement

Leadership & Coaching

Tools

Primavera P6

SAP

Job description

Your Impact

We are looking for an experienced Principal Project Controller to work with our Bids and Proposals team within CS3. The CS3 Project Controls team is undergoing an exciting transformation in our ways of working - this is a high visibility opportunity to work across our Sectors and to embed good practices early in the project lifecycle.

2 days on-site.

• Develop the Work Breakdown Structure in conjunction with the Project or Bid Manager and relevant functional stakeholders;
• Facilitate planning workshops with work package owners and functional contributors;
• Create and maintain fit-for-purpose schedules in Primavera P6 by defining activities, milestones, durations, logic, constraints, calendars and coding in accordance with applicable Leonardo and CS3 standards;
• Produce schedule extracts and visualisations appropriate for Business Winning Reviews, Tender Vet, Phase Reviews and management reviews;
• Support or perform Schedule Risk Analysis where required by the scale, risk and maturity of the opportunity.

What You'll Bring

• Comprehensive and demonstrable Project Controls/ Planning experience with proven expertise in all aspects of planning, project controls and project management methodologies (inc AGILE) across Projects of varying value/complexity;
• Expertise in one or more Planning/ERP Tools (ideally including Primavera P6 and/or SAP);
• Breadth of experience in all parts of lifecycle and experience in the phases of initiation, planning and execution;
• Proven collaboration, communication, planning, problem solving, decision making skills;
• Application of Schedule Risk Analysis including identification, methods of analysis and recommendations for management;
• Commercial and financial acumen;
• APMG Project Controls Foundation and Practitioner Level Certification or meet the criteria to undertake this training;
• Ability to engage and influence cross-functional teams and recognise and positively interact with stakeholders up to VP level;
• Experience of coaching, mentoring or team leadership.

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 flexidays 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 - Edinburgh

Additional Locations

GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid