Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Leonardo UK Ltd; Easter Howgate; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Aerospace, Defence, and Security is seeking a Software Quality Assurance professional to ensure compliance and integrity of software products. This role involves independent assurance tasks across the software lifecycle, alongside collaboration with diverse teams and adherence to industry standards. Join a global team committed to innovation and global safety.

Benefits

Generous leave with flexi-days

Pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution

Free mental health support and financial advice

Free access to online courses (Coursera, LinkedIn Learning)

Flexible working hours

Annual £500 flexible benefits spending

Bonus scheme eligibility

Employee-led networks promoting inclusion

Qualifications

• Knowledge in software quality assurance principles.
• Experience in regulated industries like aerospace or defence is a plus.
• Familiarity with safety-critical software development standards (e.g., RTCA/DO-178C).

Responsibilities

• Provide independent assurance of software development activities.
• Develop and maintain Software Quality Assurance Plans.
• Evaluate subcontractors' capabilities for software quality.

Skills

Software Quality Assurance

Analytical Thinking

Collaborative Communication

Knowledge of Standards (AS9100, ISO9001)

Education

Engineering or equivalent professional experience

Job description

Job Description:

We are seeking a Software Quality Assurance (SQA) professional to join our team and play a critical role in ensuring the reliability, compliance, and integrity of our software products.

This role provides independent assurance across the software development lifecycle, helping to shape high-quality, mission-critical systems while working collaboratively across functions.

Your Impact

• Provide independent assurance of software development and release activities to ensure they meet contractual and internal standards.
• Develop and maintain Software Quality Assurance Plans in line with company, contractual, and regulatory requirements.
• Estimate SQA resources needed to support multiple software projects.
• Evaluate subcontractors' capabilities to develop software to required quality and safety standards.
• Assess project adherence to software development processes and plans.
• Participate in key software lifecycle and quality reviews.
• Perform conformity and configuration audits.
• Verify readiness of software products for release and delivery.

What you’ll bring:

• Knowledge and practical experience in software quality assurance.
• Background in engineering, quality, manufacturing, or equivalent professional experience. Experience in complex or regulated industries (such as aerospace, defence, or medical) is a plus.
• Strong analytical thinking—able to turn complex data into practical, business-relevant actions.
• Collaborative and adaptable communication style, with the ability to work across diverse teams and functions.
• Familiarity with standards such as AS9100, ISO9001, and continuous improvement frameworks.
• Experience with airborne or safety-critical software development and standards (e.g., RTCA/DO-178C, AS9115, AQAP-2210) is desirable.

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 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.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

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Primary Location:

GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid