System Engineer - Land CEMA (All Levels)

Leonardo; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave with up to 12 flexi-days

Award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution

Free mental health support and financial advice

Bonus scheme for all employees at management level and below

Access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera

Up to £500 annually on flexible benefits

Hybrid working options available

Job summary

Leonardo is seeking talented System Engineers to enhance defence capabilities in Southampton. This role involves working on cutting-edge defence technologies and contributing to advanced solutions that improve operational effectiveness in complex environments.

Candidates should have a strong engineering background, ideally with a science-based Honours degree, and experience in systems engineering. The salary ranges from £45,000 to £81,000, and benefits include flexible working arrangements and generous leave options.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Systems Engineer in a relevant field.
• Experience with problem definition, system architecture, and integration.
• Knowledge of electronic warfare, Counter-IED, and UAS technologies.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to defining, developing, and delivering defence systems.
• Apply systems engineering expertise throughout the system lifecycle.
• Work closely with customers and stakeholders on project goals.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Collaboration with specialists

Electronic warfare expertise

RF systems knowledge

Experience in Defence programmes

Education

Science-based Honours degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Overview

Want to help shape the future of defence in the electromagnetic battlespace? We are looking for talented and motivated System Engineers to join our growing Land Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) business. At Leonardo you will contribute to the development of innovative, cutting‑edge capabilities for UK and export customers while benefiting from flexible working arrangements that support a healthy balance between business requirements and individual needs.

Your impact

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of defence technology, contributing directly to advanced solutions that enhance operational effectiveness in complex and contested electromagnetic environments. As part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, you will play a key role in defining, developing and delivering next‑generation defence systems.

Working closely with customers, partners and stakeholders, you will apply your expertise across the full system lifecycle, from requirements definition and solution development through to integration, verification and in‑service support.

You will contribute directly to some of the UK's most advanced land‑based defence capabilities, including Land Electronic Warfare, Counter‑Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C‑UAS) and next‑generation Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RC‑IED) equipment and solutions. These systems enable military users to exploit the electromagnetic spectrum, to generate operational advantage on the modern battlefield whilst also protecting friendly forces.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Systems Engineer within a working environment or advanced academic research experience. Ideally, you will have a science‑based Honours degree or equivalent experience.
• Systems Engineering (e.g. problem definition, architecture, MBSE, integration, verification & validation)
• Collaboration with specialists in safety, security, and reliability to deliver robust solutions
• Domain expertise such as electronic warfare, Counter‑IED / UAS, SW defined radios (desirable)
• RF systems and SW defined radios (desirable)
• Prime systems integration / system of systems (desirable)
• Experience of Defence, military or security related programmes (desirable)
• Cyber and electromagnetic activities – including Open Standards (STICS/Open CPI) (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, which 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.

Salary

Salary range: £45,000 – £81,000. Where this vacancy is being recruited across more than one grade, the successful candidate will be appointed to a specific assessed grade, and the applicable salary range will be that associated with the grade of appointment.

Benefits

• Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi‑days each year.
• Benefit from our award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Free access to mental health support, financial advice and employee networks championing inclusion and diversity.
• All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend – receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part‑time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

Location

Primary: Basildon
Additional: Bristol – Coldharbour Lane, Southampton

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid