Solutions Architect (C-UAS)

Leonardo UK Ltd; Wickford; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave

Pension scheme with employer contrib.

Mental health support

Bonus scheme

Access to Coursera/LinkedIn Learning

Referral rewards

Flexible benefits up to £500/year

Hybrid working

Job summary

Leonardo UK Ltd in Basildon is seeking a Solutions Architect to provide enterprise architecture leadership for the C-UAS domain. You will shape strategy, develop system architectures, and work with bid teams to deliver prime contract capability.

The role requires strong experience in sensor/effector systems, C2/GUI aspects, and openness to hybrid working with UK security considerations. An opportunity to influence major campaigns.

Qualifications

• Experience in defence industry and delivering prime contract capability.
• Proven ability to lead technical bid work and contribute to enterprise architectures.
• Strong understanding of sensor/effector systems, C2/GUI aspects.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining awareness of developments around C-UAS and related frameworks.
• Proposing and evaluating technical and commercial approaches to prime contract delivery.
• Lead cost estimation and benefit analysis for solutions; support bid teams.

Skills

Defence industry experience

Technical leadership

Systems architecture

Bid support

C2/GUI understanding

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. Where we provide world leading solutions to an increasing worldwide threat and our teams work alongside international government agencies, helping to ensure National Security.

This is a great opportunity to enhance the leadership and strategic direction of work within the Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems domain.The Solution Architect activities will refine existing implementations but more importantly support and define the strategic direction and architectures in order to fulfil future challenges in the C-UAS solution space.

Hybrid working from our dedicated site in Basildon (we could consider working out of our main sites in the South, but frequent travel to Basildon would be required).

Your impact

As Solutions Architect, you will be responsible for SI Enterprise Architecture design, identification of technical solutions & architecture, technical leadership in bids and external studies, scope of and participation in PV through to support to Capability Management for 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
• Generation of 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, develop candidate system architectures and derive requirements at all system levels
• Supporting the Bid Team with cost estimation of solutions.
• Perform cost benefit analysis of system component development versus COTS procurement.
• Contribute to the development of Enterprise Architectures for Major campaigns and programmes.

About You

You will possess proven experience in a similar role, having maintained 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. Experience of developing Sensor/Effector systems including C2/GUI aspects. Attributes required include;

• A good understanding of Open and Common Standards/Frameworks relevant to the solution space (eg SAPIENT, Land Data Model, GVA etc)
• The ability to develop white papers to shape and steer thinking within the stakeholder community.
• Ability to lead cost/benefit analysis to inform make/buy decisions for System Solutions.
• Experience of working 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 of working with customers/end-users at a senior commercial and technical level - essential
• Estimating costs and technical risk for each solution approach
• Experience of full life cycle for product and system development – concept through to disposal
• Familiarity with open systems architectures/frameworks such as SAPIENT, LDM
• Experience of formal user requirements capture, traceability and compliance management methodology 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). 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 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.

Primary Location:

GB - Basildon

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid