Solutions Architect (C-UAS)

Leonardo; Basildon; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave and flexi-days

Pension scheme with employer contribution

Access to mental health support

Bonus scheme for eligible employees

Free online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn

Flexible working options

Job summary

Leonardo is seeking a Solutions Architect for their Mission Systems C-UAS Team in Basildon. This role involves designing architectures and managing technical solutions for defense clients, focusing on Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems.

The ideal candidate will have significant defense industry experience and proven leadership in solution design. A hybrid working model is offered alongside comprehensive benefits for personal and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a similar role.
• High awareness of developments in relevant technologies.
• Experience developing sensor and effector products/systems.
• Ability to develop white papers for stakeholder community.
• Experience with full life cycle of product development.

Responsibilities

• Design SI Enterprise Architecture.
• Propose and evaluate technical solutions.
• Generate white papers to influence stakeholders.
• Support bid team with cost estimation.
• Contribute to Enterprise Architectures for major campaigns.

Skills

Technical solutions & architectures

Defence industry experience

Cost-benefit analysis

Senior stakeholder engagement

Integration of technologies

Tools

DOORS

Cameo

The Mathworks

Job description

Job Description

Due to continued growth, Leonardo has an exciting opportunity for a Solutions Architect to join our Mission Systems C-UAS Team. We provide world-leading solutions to an increasing worldwide threat, and our teams work alongside international government agencies to help ensure national security. This role enhances the leadership and strategic direction of work within the Counter‑Uncrewed Aerial Systems domain, refining existing implementations and defining strategic direction and architectures to fulfil future C‑UAS challenges.

Hybrid working from our dedicated site in Basildon (we may consider other sites in the South, but frequent travel to Basildon will be required).

Your impact

As Solutions Architect, you will be responsible for SI Enterprise Architecture design, identification of technical solutions & architectures, technical leadership in bids and external studies, scope management, and participation in PV through to support for Capability Management of product portfolios. Day‑to‑day responsibilities include:

• Maintaining high awareness of all relevant developments around C‑UAS, the associated technologies and frameworks.
• Proposing and evaluating alternative technical and commercial approaches to delivering prime contract capability and systems to the customer.
• Maximising the value of the Leonardo workshare.
• Generating white papers to shape thinking within the stakeholder community.
• Developing the solution architecture for optimum cost effectiveness and URD compliance.
• Developing a combination of systems and software solutions.
• Working with Systems Architects and Systems Engineering to develop candidate system architectures and derive requirements at all system levels.
• Supporting the Bid Team with cost estimation of solutions.
• Performing cost‑benefit analysis of system component development versus COTS procurement.
• Contributing to the development of Enterprise Architectures for major campaigns and programmes.

About You

You will possess proven experience in a similar role, maintaining a high awareness of relevant developments around associated technologies and frameworks. You will be highly experienced in proposing and evaluating technical and commercial approaches to delivering prime contract capability and systems to defence customers, including development of Sensor/Effector systems with C2/GUI aspects. Attributes required include:

• A good understanding of open and common standards/frameworks relevant to the solution space (e.g., SAPIENT, Land Data Model, GVA, etc.).
• The ability to develop white papers that shape and steer thinking within the stakeholder community.
• Ability to lead cost‑benefit analysis to inform make/buy decisions for system solutions.
• Experience within the defence industry is essential.
• Experience using tools such as DOORS, Cameo, The Mathworks is desirable.
• Significant experience developing sensor and effector products/systems, including C2/GUI aspects, specifically the integration of technologies to achieve desired outcomes.
• Experience working with customers/end‑users at a senior commercial and technical level – essential.
• Estimating costs and technical risk for each solution approach.
• Experience of the full life cycle for product and system development – from concept through to disposal.
• Familiarity with open systems architectures/frameworks such as SAPIENT, LDM.
• Experience with formal user‑requirements capture, traceability and compliance‑management methodologies and tools.

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

Successful candidates will be UK nationals. This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Additional Personnel Security Controls under National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, including 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.

Primary Location

GB – Basildon

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid