Principal Systems Engineer (Software)

Leonardo; Luton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time to Recharge

Pension scheme

Mental health support

Bonus scheme

4,000+ online courses

Refer a friend

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Leonardo UK in Luton is seeking a Software Systems Engineer to bridge systems engineering and software development for aerospace products. You will contribute to mission programs and next-gen tools under GCAP, collaborating with software teams using DevOps and MBSE approaches.

The role involves architectural design, testing, integration, and reporting to customers and partners, with on-site work at the Luton facility and exposure to security screening.

Qualifications

• A science, maths, or engineering-based degree, or equivalent experience
• Proven experience delivering software-heavy systems, ideally to customers in regulated industries
• Experience with DevOps to deliver products
• Experience in MBSE methodologies or modelling languages such as UML
• Knowledge of software technologies, architectures, design principles, and testing

Responsibilities

• Engaging with stakeholders defining requirements for new systems and software designs
• Performing architectural design of software systems
• Conducting cost and functional performance trade-offs and evaluation of proposed solutions
• Enhancing capabilities and performance of in-service systems
• Designing and integrating new functionality into existing systems and external software systems
• Designing and conducting testing and trials to prove equipment function and performance
• Root-cause analysis of anomalies and faults observed during operation or integration
• Leading technical activities and initiatives
• Mentoring and coaching other engineers
• Creating and delivering technical reports, presentations and proposals to customers and industry partners
• Supporting knowledge sharing and exploitation of software and systems best practice

Skills

DevOps experience

MBSE

UML modelling

Software architectures

Testing & validation

Education

Science, maths or engineering degree

Tools

UML tools

DevOps tools

Job description

Job Description:

Your impact

Have you delivered software products as a Systems Engineer; or are you a Software Engineer looking to move into the development and integration of new software into aerospace products? If so, this may be the role for you!

We are seeking dedicated Systems Engineers, who will bridge the gap between systems engineering and software development.

Our software products support deployed and in-development systems, including:

• Mission programming and analysis tools for self-protection systems used by RAF aircraft and export customers, including Typhoon and Apache.
• Development of next-generation tools providing capability to the Tempest Aircraft being developed under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to replace Typhoon.

What you'll do as a Software Systems Engineer:

• Engaging with stakeholders defining requirements for new systems and software designs
• Performing architectural design of software systems
• Conducting cost and functional performance trade-offs and evaluation of proposed solutions
• Enhancing capabilities and performance of in-service systems
• Designing and integrating new functionality into existing systems and with external software systems
• Designing and conducting testing and trials to prove equipment function and performance
• Root-cause analysis of anomalies, issues and faults observed during operation, integration or evaluation activities
• Leading technical activities and initiatives
• Mentoring and coaching other engineers
• Creating and delivering technical reports, presentations and proposals to customers and industry partners to support development and delivery
• Supporting knowledge sharing and exploitation of software and systems best practice

What you'll bring:

• A science, maths, or engineering-based degree, or equivalent experience
• Proven experience in delivering software-heavy systems, ideally to customers in regulated industries (e.g. military, rail, safety-critical)
• Experience in working with software teams using DevOps to deliver products
• Experience in MBSE methodologies or modelling languages such as UML
• Knowledge of software technologies, architectures, design principles, and testing
• Experience with functional architectures, development lifecycles and toolsets

Knowledge of the systems engineering lifecycle, particularly in the following areas:

• Problem definition
• Systems and Software Architecture
• Software Development and Qualification
• Integration, Verification and Validation

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 includes 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

Salary Range

Senior Engineer £45,000 - £60,000

Principal Engineer £55,000 - £70,000

Where this vacancy is being recruited across more than one grade, the successful candidate will be appointed to a specific assessed grade, and the applicable salary range will be that associated with the grade of appointment.

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.

This work will require on-site working at our facility in Luton.

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,