Technical Authority - Electronic Warfare and Future Combat Air Systems

Leonardo; Lincoln; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company in Lincoln is looking for a Technical Authority to ensure product compliance for airborne applications. You will provide independent assurance for design certification, manage product safety, and engage in regulatory discussions. The role offers hybrid working options. Ideal candidates should be recognized as Subject Matter Experts and have experience in relevant standards. Join a company that values inclusion and employee wellbeing.

Benefits

Generous leave and flexi-days

Up to 15% employer pension contribution

Access to mental health support

Bonus scheme eligibility

Free online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Recognized as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in a relevant domain.
• Hands-on experience in product certification to recognized standards.
• Familiarity with managing product security and cyber.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent assurance and Compliance Verification Engineer (CVE) for design certification.
• Define the certification basis for Products developed for high integrity airborne applications.
• Review and approve Declarations of Conformity against relevant legislation.

Skills

Subject Matter Expert (SME) in relevant domain

Hands-on experience of product certification

Understanding of regulatory environment for airborne products

Experience in Integration, Test, Evaluation and Acceptance (ITEA)

Familiarity with managing Product safety

Understanding of DO-178C, DO-254 or similar standards

Education

CEng (Chartered Engineer) preferred

Job description

Job Description

Leonardo’s Electronic division has a rich heritage in Electronic Warfare with over 100 years of history and providing the latest advances in radio frequency technology to our military customers in the UK and further afield.

Our Design Integrity department are currently recruiting for an Technical Authority to join their industrious team. One of the primary focuses of your role will be to provide independent assurance of product compliance in support of design certification, mostly within the airborne domain. In addition to this, you will be accountable for the integrity of products within Electronic Warfare and Major Air Programmes lines of business led out of Luton, which includes products under development at Filton, Southampton, Lincoln and Edinburgh. You will be responsible for reviewing and checking release artefacts, such as Declarations of Design Performance (DDP), F100A and Product Integrity Certificates. In conjunction to this, you will also provide SME advice and guidance to technical leads and program chief engineers. When required, you will play an active role in defining the required assurance activities for new and innovative ways of working. Please note that this is a hybrid role and can be based out of any of our following locations; Luton, Lincoln, Bristol, or Southampton. In addition to this, regular travel will be required within the UK, with occasional international trips.

Your duties will include

Day to day, you will influence the Product Safety, Security and Environmental Impact management decisions for Electronic Warfare (EW) and Future Combat Air Systems (FCA) line of businesses across the full Product lifecycle, from design and manufacture, through in-service support, to safe and responsible decommissioning and disposal to solve complex problems and deliver safe and sustainable products by :

• Provide as an independent assurance and Compliance Verification Engineer (CVE) for design certification of Leonardo products.
• Defining the certification basis for Products developed for high integrity airborne applications.
• Providing input and advice to the product development teams, operating as a consultant to ensure regulatory requirements are understood, products are producible, safe, secure, legal, fit for purpose, and reliable in their intended environment.
• Review and approved Declarations of Conformity against relevant UK, EU and global legislation, calling on SMEs from around the company for advice.
• Chair design reviews on Products, Systems and Services within domain expertise.
• Participate in Product Safety and security Panels and company working groups to monitor proposed changes to the regulatory environment.
• Review Integrated Project Team Engineering Plans to ensure they comply with company policy, in particular considering the design governance and certification activities.
• Providing independent specialist guidance and information on best practices, standards and legislation.
• Contributing to the development of Subject Matter Experts within the line of business.
• Participate in vendor assessments to ensure their capabilities are understood.
• Operate as a deputy company signature and board signature for design certification under company AS9100D and DAOS accreditations.
• Deputise for the Chief Engineer Design Integrity within the wider company organisation.
• Represent Design Integrity, Leonardo Electronics within external interest forums.
• Develop and deliver training courses and speak with confidence on regulatory matters, governance and certification.

What you’ll bring

• Recognised as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in a relevant domain.
• Recognised as a SME for technology area, such as Software or Electronics / Hardware.
• Have hands‑on experience of product certification to recognised standards including experience in Integration, Test, Evaluation and Acceptance (ITEA) for airborne products.
• Are familiar with managing Product safety.
• Understand regulatory environment for airborne products, e.g. MAA, EASA.
• Ideally are CEng.
• Ideally are familiar with managing product security and cyber.
• Have an understanding of DO‑178C, DO254 or similar standards.
• Experience of delivering training and awareness courses.
• Have worked with others to identify future Regulatory needs.
• Are an active member of an external specialist group or forum.

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 :

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.

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