Project Engineering Lead

Job Description:

Your impact

Leonardo has an exciting opportunity for Project Engineering Lead based at our Luton Site on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

We are looking for a Project Engineering Lead (PEL) to join the engineering team on a permanent basis to cover an exciting and growing large scale flagship project. This role will lead and manage a multi-disciplinary engineering team to deliver the project. The PEL will provide the engineering leadership, in close partnership with the Project Engineering Manager, and Chief Engineer, to identify, develop, delivery and support the technical solution. This role will also be working closely with the other Electronics Division, Lines of Business to pull together the systems of Systems solution.

With this role, you will get:

• Advanced Technology: You will have the ability to contribute to the development of market-leading product development, providing advanced capability and protection to UK platforms.
• Agile Systems Engineering: Apply and develop your knowledge of systems engineering in a fast-paced and dynamic agile development team.
• Continuous Learning: Whether engineering lifecycle processes, leadership, or personal development, you’ll be supported in your ongoing professional development though training and mentoring.
• Teamwork: You will work alongside like-minded professional engineers in a highly collaborative environment.
• Engineering Heritage: We are proud of our rich heritage in Engineering, with 100 years of pioneering development.

Reporting to the Project Engineering Manager, the PEL is responsible for:

• Producing effective, efficient and realistic plans to deliver the solution (risks/opportunities are identified, estimates are validated, stakeholders are bought in).
• Ensuring effective implementation of the company's Lifecycle Management, including Design & Gate Reviews and Processes, to:
• Agree qualification & acceptance criteria and design certification
• Validating and Meeting Targets for Development of Design Maturity
• Be responsible for all engineering aspects of the monthly Project Performance Reviews
• Provide engineering leadership to a multi-disciplinary, Integrated Project Team (IPT) throughout the project lifecycle to deliver the plan on time, in budget and to quality standards (lifecycle reviews are held, reporting mechanisms are in place, high level of motivation maintained within the team, consistent high level of performance achieved).
• Ensure the engineering team delivers the "best value" solution compliant with the customer's technical and budgetary requirements, contractual, safety and legislative standards and is consistent with the business strategy.
• Promoting streamlined ways of working across the engineering lifecycle in order to be competitive.
• To ensure re-use and modularity across any solutions proposed.
• Establish and maintain good lines of communication across the Engineering IPT and upwards to the IPT lead and Engineering Leadership
• Support the management of Suppliers and project Make or Buy decisions
• Control project configuration and change management
• Work closely with the Project Chief Engineer to resolve technical or programme conflicts and ensure that the design rationale is documented
• Manage and communicate issues to senior management
• To work closely and effectively with all stakeholders
• Deliver to agreed performance targets
• Support the teams working in an Agile manner.

What you’ll bring

• Ability to produce clear concise engineering documentation
• Degree qualified or equivalent.
• Good problem-solving ability.
• Good schedule and budget control.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Commercially aware.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, across multiple sites.
• Strong leadership competency but also can demonstrate team working skills.
• Knowledge of Engineering lifecycle and business process.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and possibly overseas

It would be nice if you had:

• Knowledge of synthetic modelling
• Extensive experience in integrating systems and sub-systems together
• Experience of delivering as part of a prime organisation
• Experience of Radar, Electronic Warfare (ESM & ECM), EO/IR and/or Communications
• Experience in developing integrated solutions for airborne environments
• Experience within system design/system architectures
• Are a professionally registered engineer

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: 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[1]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 - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid