Software Quality Assurance Team Lead

Leonardo UK Ltd; Caddington; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence technology company is seeking a Software Quality Assurance Team Lead in Luton. The role involves ensuring quality across software development, supporting project activities, and leading a team. Ideal candidates will have experience in high-tech industries and knowledge of quality frameworks. This hybrid position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including flexible working hours and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous leave and flexi-days

Pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution

Mental health support and financial advice

Bonus scheme

Access to online courses

Financial reward for referrals

Flexible benefits package

Hybrid working options

Qualifications

• Experience in a complex, high‑technology industry such as defence, electronics, or manufacturing.
• Knowledge within AS9100 / ISO9001 and Continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify and manage software specific risks across projects.
• Lead quality system enhancements and initiatives.
• Coach and mentor team members.

Skills

Experience in a complex, high-technology industry

Knowledge of software tools

Working knowledge of quality frameworks

Hands-on experience with quality tools

Strong analytical skills

Ability to travel

Education

Further education in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing

Tools

DOORS

Dimensions

SAP

DevOps

Job description

Job Description:

Leonardo is looking to recruit a Software Quality Assurance Team Lead, based at its site in Luton. The role will directly support the Electronic Warfare Line of Business in a number of key programmes, ensuring quality is actively involved throughout the software development Lifecycle.

Working across the Combat Air, IMS and SPT Sectors, providing an independent assurance that projects be executed in accordance with defined process and that agreed customer software quality requirements are realised in line with planned customer expectations.

The role at this level is capable of providing advice and guidance within existing systems and procedures. Role holders will manage their own work with limited supervision and resolve problems and queries, while managing others to achieve objectives. The holder may contribute to customer and vendor aspects, working within quality planning and participating in areas such as non-conformance, corrective action and continuous improvement as a specialist in these areas.

Along with leading and supporting others, this is also a hands‑on role where the Team Lead will be expected to be directly involved in supporting project activities.

Your Impact

As a Software Quality Assurance Team Lead, you will play a key role in ensuring high standards of quality and compliance across our cutting‑edge projects. You’ll collaborate with cross‑functional teams, bring a proactive approach to managing risk, and champion continuous improvement. Your leadership will help shape not just project outcomes but also team culture.

• Identify and manage software specific risks, threats, and opportunities across projects, ensuring alignment with Programme Assurance Plans.
• Support Software QA’s to deliver quality outcomes in line with project milestones throughout the lifecycle.
• Lead quality system enhancements and initiatives that strengthen assurance and compliance.
• Coach, mentor and assess team members from a variety of backgrounds, supporting their personal and professional growth.
• Use collaborative leadership skills to inspire and support change at both individual and team levels.
• Work in conjunction with the Procurement and Supplier Quality in the creation of a specific Supplier Management Plan for software outsourcing activities.
• Assess the ability of current and prospective subcontracted companies to perform software development to required standards.
• Provide actionable insights through data reporting to internal and external stakeholders.

• Creation and maintenance of software quality assurance plans in accordance with contractual conditions and company standards.
• Estimating software quality assurance resources as part of forward load management.
• Assessing projects for compliance with software development plans and processes.
• Be fully aware and engaged with the IPT risks and opportunities.
• Reviewing software plans, requirements, design, test specifications, and test results.
• Participating in software lifecycle reviews.
• Performing software audits and reviews and supporting external audits.
• Verifying the release of deliverable software.

What you’ll bring

• Experience in a complex, high‑technology industry such as defence, electronics, or manufacturing.
• Knowledge and experience of software tools e.g. Requirements management, Configuration Management, Test, Code Coverage and Static Analysis.
• Working knowledge of quality frameworks including AS9100, ISO9001, AQAP 2210, DO‑178 C. and associated continuous improvement tools.
• Hands‑on experience with quality tools like DOORS, Dimensions, SAP, DevOps.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate findings in a way that supports decision‑making.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across teams with different experiences, backgrounds, and roles.
• Ability to travel to customers, suppliers or other Leonardo sites if required.

What we need from you

• Further education and experience ideally in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing or experience in Defence Electronics or similarly "complex" industry.
• Be able to demonstrate knowledge within the areas of AS9100 / ISO9001 and Continuous improvement.
• Knowledge and practical experience of software quality.
• Excellent communicator with good interpersonal skills and a collaborative working style across all functions of the business.
• Excellent time management and organisation skills facilitating prioritisation and running multi tasks in parallel, against challenging time requirements.

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!

Primary Location

GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type

Employee-Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid