Project Leader

Leonardo UK Ltd; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Pension scheme with employer contrib.

Bonus scheme

Flexible benefits up to £500

4,000+ online courses via Coursera/edX

Wellbeing and inclusion networks

Job summary

Leonardo UK Ltd in Luton is seeking a Project Leader for the Integrated Defensive Aids System (IDAS) to help deliver advanced defence capabilities across programmes, with a hybrid working pattern and BPSS security screening.

You will coordinate IPTs, manage schedules, risks and governance, prepare reports, and collaborate with engineering and customer stakeholders to ensure on-time delivery and operational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Experience in a project support or project coordinator role within engineering, aerospace, defence, or similarly complex environments.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to coordinate activities across multiple stakeholders and priorities.
• Experience of supporting project planning, reporting or governance activities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Awareness of project management disciplines including schedule management, risk management and project controls.
• APM qualification (or working towards one) is desirable but not essential.
• Knowledge of Defensive Aids Systems is advantageous but not required.

Responsibilities

• Support the IDAS Programme Manager and Project Managers in the planning, coordination and delivering of project activities across various Integrated Project Teams (IPTs).
• Coordinate project schedules, actions and deliverables, helping to ensure projects remain on track against agreed milestones.
• Support the management of risks, opportunities and issues, ensuring they are recorded, monitored and escalated where appropriate.
• Assist with the preparation of project reports, governance reviews and customer deliverables.
• Work closely with engineering, business functions and customer stakeholders to facilitate effective communication and project execution.
• Support financial tracking and performance reporting activities across the project.
• Maintain project documentation, plans and records to support effective project control.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance programme delivery, efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Project coordination

Engineering environments

Stakeholder coordination

Governance

Communication

Schedule management

Risk management

APM qualification

Defensive Aids Systems knowledge

Job description

Job Description

Your Impact: Do you want to play a key role in delivering advanced defensive systems across multiple airborne platforms, such as A400M and NMH? As a Project Leader within the Integrated Defensive Aids System (IDAS) team, you will support the delivery of critical capability across various programmes. Based in Luton, you will work within a collaborative, cross‑functional environment helping coordinate work package delivery and supporting the successful introduction of new IDAS solutions into service to ensure the operational effectiveness of the war fighter.

What you will do as Project Leader – IDAS:

• Support the IDAS Programme Manager and Project Managers in the planning, coordination and delivering of project activities across various Integrated Project Teams (IPTs).
• Coordinate project schedules, actions and deliverables, helping to ensure projects remain on track against agreed milestones.
• Support the management of risks, opportunities and issues, ensuring they are recorded, monitored and escalated where appropriate.
• Assist with the preparation of project reports, governance reviews and customer deliverables.
• Work closely with engineering, business functions and customer stakeholders to facilitate effective communication and project execution.
• Support financial tracking and performance reporting activities across the project.
• Maintain project documentation, plans and records to support effective project control.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance programme delivery, efficiency and customer satisfaction.

What you’ll bring

To succeed in this role, you will bring a structured and proactive approach, strong collaboration skills, and a desire to develop within complex defence programmes. Essential skills and experience include:

• Experience in a project support or project coordinator role within engineering, aerospace, defence, or similarly complex environments.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to coordinate activities across multiple stakeholders and priorities.
• Experience of supporting project planning, reporting or governance activities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Awareness of project management disciplines including schedule management, risk management and project controls.
• APM qualification (or working towards one) is desirable but not essential.
• Knowledge of Defensive Aids Systems, is advantageous but not required.

This is not an exhaustive list. We welcome candidates who are motivated to learn, take ownership, and grow their careers within a supportive and dynamic project environment.

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.

Benefits

• 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.

Company Overview

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: Hybrid 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!