Summer Placement Software Engineer

Leonardo UK; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company in Newcastle is seeking a Summer Placement Software Engineer to gain hands-on experience and contribute to real-world projects such as advanced avionics sensor systems. The 13-week program runs from June to August 2026 and emphasizes practical skills in software engineering. Ideal candidates should have a predicted 2:1 grade in relevant degrees and some programming experience, particularly in C++. Benefits include annual leave, a pension scheme, and access to online courses.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution

Free access to mental health support

Access to online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning

Qualifications

• Minimum predicted 2:1 grade in a relevant degree such as Software Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or Electronic Engineering.
• Interest in Software Engineering for real-time development.
• Experience with an object-oriented programming language like C++ is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Support real projects by applying academic knowledge.
• Design, test, qualify, and support technology across products.
• Deliver work on time and to quality standards.

Skills

Computer programming

Enthusiasm for software design

Object-oriented programming languages (C++)

Education

Minimum predicted 2:1 grade in relevant degree

Tools

UML knowledge

Job description

Overview

Are you ready to make an impact and gain hands‑on experience working on real‑world projects from day one? At Leonardo, we're looking for summer placement students who want to be part of something bigger—shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety. Our placements help you apply your studies in a practical setting, develop your technical skills, and gain valuable insight into how our business operates. Leonardo's Summer Placement Programme offers a paid opportunity to develop your current skill set in an innovative and practical environment that can lead to a place on our award‑winning Graduate Development Programme. Join one of our multidisciplinary integrated project teams in Newcastle and contribute to solving real‑life engineering problems on state‑of‑the‑art avionics sensor systems, such as the radar for the Typhoon fighter jet, the radar for the SAAB Gripen fighter, one of our family of Surveillance AESA radars, an IRCM system, or perhaps on one of our laser target designator or laser ranging systems. The 13‑week Summer Placement Programme runs from 1st June 2026 to 28th August 2026. As a Summer Placement Software Engineer you will:

Responsibilities

• Provide support to real projects.
• Apply knowledge gained while studying in a practical way.
• Undertake activities including designing, testing, qualifying and supporting technology across our range of products. The challenging tasks will involve communicating with other team members to gain information before completing objectives and examining outcomes.
• Work as part of an established engineering community, supported by a team of experienced engineers. You will be responsible for:
  • Delivering small packages of work on time, cost and quality.
  • Working within a team to achieve project targets, collaborating across multiple disciplines and solving problems.
  • Communicating with team members to share knowledge.
  • Completing tasks to a high standard in accordance with appropriate processes and procedures.
  • Using the opportunity to develop engineering skills.
• During the placement, prepare a short presentation to introduce yourself and discuss what you will be working on to the Head of Software and the wider team.
• At the end of the placement, showcase what you have learned and achieved during your time at Leonardo to the Head of Software and the wider team.
• Particular emphasis will be placed on learning practical skills that may not be easily gained or experienced in the academic environment of a university.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Minimum predicted 2:1 grade in a relevant degree discipline such as Software Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics or Electronic Engineering (BSc (Hon) / BEng (Hon) / MEng).
• Interest in Software Engineering in the area of real‑time development for avionic systems.
• Some experience of computer programming and enthusiasm for designing software and writing code.
• Experience of an object‑oriented programming language such as C++ and knowledge of UML is an advantage but not essential.
• A full statement of courses and projects studied at university with corresponding grades/marks/percentage should be included in your CV.
• Applications are also welcomed from candidates who have completed a first degree and are looking to gain industrial experience prior to commencing a relevant higher degree (i.e. PhD, MSc).

Personal Attributes

• Self‑motivated with lots of drive and enthusiasm.
• Able to use own initiative to achieve overall objectives.
• Able to work under pressure and achieve challenging deadlines within an environment of changing priorities.
• Highly responsive with strong customer focus.
• Thorough, seeing job through to completion while maintaining high standards.
• Able to work flexibly and be readily adaptable to situational changes, in keeping with our custom working policy.

Pre‑Employment Screening

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, which could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC). For more information and guidance please visit: [link omitted].

Benefits

• Time to recharge: Our employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays. As a Summer Placement student you will receive this allowance pro rata.
• Secure your future: 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.
• Never stop learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.

Inclusion and Accessibility

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, communities, and customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.