Senior Defence Analytics Engineer

Leonardo S.p.A.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time to Recharge

Secure your Future

Your Wellbeing Matters

Rewarding Performance

Never Stop Learning

Refer a friend

Tailored Perks

Flexible working

Job summary

Leonardo UK is seeking a Defence Analytics Engineer to create and integrate weapon system models for MOD in a Central London team. The role supports both full-time and 4-day-week part-time arrangements, working within a multi-national, defence-focused environment.

You will develop dynamic computer models using MATLAB/Simulink and other languages, liaising with UK and international partners to advance modelling capabilities and deliver robust assessments for MOD projects.

Qualifications

• A degree in a STEM subject and strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Ability to apply these to real-world problems through modelling and simulation.
• Knowledge of aerospace technologies such as aerodynamics, propulsion, sensors, guidance and control would be an advantage.
• Experience in MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++, C# and/or Python.

Responsibilities

• Produce computer models of weapons systems, exercise them in-house, and aid the integration of these models in customers’ simulation environments.
• Produce reports and presentations of your work and present them to MOD customers and the wider community both within the UK and partner nations.
• Provide ad hoc advice and support to MOD customers, often at short notice.
• Use your developing experience and knowledge to propose and implement improvements to tools and processes.
• In conjunction with the project team conduct regular liaison with both MOD and the wider customer base to keep them informed of recent developments and to determine future analysis requirements.
• Travel for technical exchanges with our partners, in the UK and abroad.

Skills

Strong numerical analysis

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Communication skills

Education

Degree in a STEM subject

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++

C#

Python

Job description

Job Description: The opportunity:

Our Central London team is looking for talented and enthusiastic modelling and simulation practitioners to create and integrate weapon system models for our UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) customer. The role will suit either recent STEM graduates, postgraduates, or those with relevant industry experience of engineering models who wish to apply their abilities in an aerospace modelling and simulation environment. This is intended as a fulltime position, but we would consider part time working of 4 days per week.

Customer Integration: You will be a member of a weapons project team within our larger Defence Analytics Group working in Central London. The group is integrated into a joint unit with government employees, members of the armed forces, and other contractors.

The Challenge: To create dynamic computer models for internal and external simulation environments to assess the performance and capability of weapon systems. Complex systems are modelled primarily in MATLAB/Simulink, exercised to answer customer questions, and exported for integration into customers’ modelling environments.

Collaboration: You will be working in close liaison with teams within the UK and partner nations, with the opportunity to contribute, influence, challenge and improve joint ways of working and knowledge. Breadth: You will be working in an environment where both the complexity and capabilities of the systems are continually evolving throughout the world.

What you’ll do as a Defence Analytics Engineer:

Produce computer models of weapons systems, exercise them in-house, and aid the integration of these models in customers’ simulation environments. Produce reports and presentations of your work and present them to local MOD customers and the wider community both within the UK and partner nations. Provide ad hoc advice and support to MOD customers, often at short notice. Use your developing experience and knowledge to propose and implement improvements to tools and processes. In conjunction with the project team conduct regular liaison with both MOD and the wider customer base to keep them informed of recent developments and to determine future analysis requirements. Seek co-operative and collaborative approaches with our UK and multi-national partners, identifying best practice. Travel for technical exchanges with our partners, in the UK and abroad.

What we need from you:

• A good understanding of scientific methods and their use through the application of fundamental physical principles.
• A degree in a STEM subject and strong numerical and analytical skills, with the ability to apply these to real world problems through modelling and simulation.
• Knowledge of aerospace technologies such as aerodynamics, propulsion, sensors, guidance and control would be an advantage.
• Experience in some of the following programming languages: MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++, C# and/or Python.
• Good interpersonal skills which allow you to work collaboratively and effectively within an inter-disciplinary team.
• Ability to problem solve and self‑steer work to deadlines as necessary, sometimes at short notice.
• Ability to communicate, both in writing and verbally, with audiences of differing technical backgrounds and seniority.

It would be nice if you had:

• Experience of defence modelling and simulation environments, customers and requirements would be an advantage.

What you will get:

• Impact: You will help ensure that MOD’s weapon assessments are robust and delivered in a timely manner to UK Defence partners and front-line forces. This will be in the form of computer models and product generated from these models.
• Opportunity: To play a key role in MOD weapon assessment which is a critical input to MOD’s equipment procurement programs.
• Knowledge: You will develop a detailed understanding of weapon systems and how they operate, and how to encapsulate that understanding and assessment in a dynamic computer model.
• Skills: You will develop a range of analytical, software and interpersonal skills.
• Insights: Working within a Leonardo team that is fully integrated with its MOD customer will provide an excellent opportunity to see up‑close how the MOD operates and interacts with its customers and partners.
• Teamwork: You will work with a diverse technical team in a highly collaborative, multi-national environment.
• Delegation: It is expected that you will steer tasks, processes and improvement initiatives.

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.

Security Clearance

You will have, or be able to obtain, UK national security clearances appropriate for sensitive assessment work. For more information and guidance please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vetting-explained-and-our-vetting-charter

Primary Location: GB - London - Whitehall

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Onsite International, multicultural, innovative, technological: this is Leonardo.

Benefits and Perks

• 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.

Company Overview

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.

Leonardo always wants to expand its talent pool, here you can find the right opportunity for you!