Quality Improvement Lead / Manager

Leonardo; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Bonus scheme

Pension plan

Private healthcare

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Leonardo UK is seeking a Quality Improvement Lead to drive improvement across G2E. The role involves UK and international travel, starting at the Luton site with potential move to Reading, and working under the Quality Director within a multi‑national consortium.

You will implement corrective actions, monitor KPIs, and integrate advanced technologies to enhance quality assurance across design, development, and production processes.

Qualifications

• A degree in a STEM or business related topic.
• Experience in a quality or business improvement role.
• Understanding of ISO 9001.
• Analytical and problem solving skills.
• Good communication skills and cross geographic collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Implement process improvements and monitor KPIs.
• Integrate AI, cybersecurity, cloud, and IoT to enhance quality monitoring.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to drive improvements.
• Coordinate with international partners to align quality expectations.
• Conduct audits to verify tool and process compliance.
• Provide training and guidance on tool principles and practices.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Collaboration

Education

STEM or business degree

Tools

AS 9100

SCRUM

Quality management software

Lean Six Sigma

ISO 9001 knowledge

Job description

Job Description

Salary £60k - £75k - Lead level

Salary £75k - £88k - Manager level

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.

Your impact

Are you an innovative and adaptable Quality professional, with a passion for problem solving and improvement?

At Leonardo we have an exciting opportunity for a Quality Improvement Lead to work on our GCAP Electronics Evolution Consortium (G2E) at our Reading site.

G2E brings together four world‑leading defence electronics champions, from three nations (Italy, UK and Japan), as a single strategic enabling partner, with one vision…to deliver the Integrated Sensors And Non‑Kinetic Effects and Integrated Communications Systems (ISANKE & IC) that will make the GCAP next‑generation fighter jet, a sensor powerhouse.

As Quality Improvement Lead, you will be a UK representative for the G2E Domain Quality Management Office (DQMO), working under the Quality Director to drive improvement activities.

As part of an international consortium it is expected that this role will involve travel internationally as well as nationally between Leonardo UK sites. It is also likely that the role will start at our Luton site and subsequently move to Reading, dependent on timelines.

As Quality Improvement Lead You Will

• Implement process improvements and manage data to monitor quality performances and KPIs.
• Integrate advanced technologies (e.g. AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, IoT) to enhance quality monitoring.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Implement tools to support the five phases: Planning, Product Design and Development, Process Design and Development, Product and Process Validation, and On‑going Production, Use, and Post‑delivery Service.
• Support internal departments in the application of these tools by providing training, resources, and guidance on the tool principles and practices.
• Co‑ordinate with the international partners to ensure their supply chain support these tools to ensure they meet quality standards and requirements.
• Conduct audits and assessments to verify compliance with those tools and processes.
• Facilitate effective communication between G2E and Partner teams to ensure alignment on quality expectations and deliverables.

Essential

What you’ll bring:

• A degree in a STEM or business related topic
• Experience of working in a quality or business improvement role
• An understanding of ISO 9001
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal
• Evidence of good collaboration skills and cross geographic working, to reach agreements and form partnerships

Desirable

• AS 9100 series of standard (incl AS9145)
• Agile Development Frameworks (e.g. SCRUM)
• Quality Management software and tools
• Lean / Six Sigma Principles

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 will require National Security Vetting to SC level. It is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance. A range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) will apply, this will 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.

Seniority

Primary Location:

GB - Reading

Additional Locations:

GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid