Job Description:

Your impact

A Project Chief Engineer (PCE) / Systems Design Authority is required to join the Surveillance and Protection Technologies (S&PT) business group in the Integrated Defensive Aids Subsystems (IDAS) Integrated Product Team (IPT).

Working as part of a multi-disciplined team, the PCE will provide technical leadership in close partnership with the IPT Lead, the Project Engineering Manager and other key stakeholders for activities relating to the deployment and support of existing and newly delivered IDAS solutions post project related certification. This will include deployment across multiple fixed wing and rotary wing platforms

The role also covers the provision of technical and design authority support of these products to the CS3 line of business.

• Building strong, collaborative relationships with Stakeholders and Customers working side-by-side to deliver and maintain supportable capabilities.
• To own the technical solution and be the System Design Authority for projects by working effectively with all external stakeholders (e.g. MOD/Platform Primes and their technical departments) and internal stakeholders (e.g CS3, Marketing & Sales, Capability and Programme Management).
• To provide direction, control, evaluation and recommendations with respect to technical risks and opportunities associated with projects
• Deliver to agreed performance targets
• Act as the responsible product design signatory for the project area signing Certificates of Design ensuring compliance with the MoD RAs where appropriate.
• To lead and mentor the technical team to enable a cost-effective programme with robust production and support solutions
• Manage and communicate issues to senior management

What you’ll bring

• To ensure that robust quality, performance, cost and time trade-offs are undertaken prior to establishing coherent technical and support solutions with agreed budgets and timescales.
• To ensure products are compliant with the Customer's performance requirements.
• To develop technical solutions, compliant with requirements within agreed programmes and timescales.
• To ensure a strategy for the matching of requirements to traceable evidence is set in place and executed.
• To ensure product safety and security compliance with legislative and contractual requirements
• To lead the technical input to internal and external design reviews and associated compliance with the Company's approach to life cycle management including product ionisation and support.
• Experience of managing Design Standards and associated Configuration Management.
• Experience in gaining Design Certification and Customer Acceptance.
• The candidate must possess excellent communication and inter-personal skills, with the ability to interact with subject matter experts regarding a wide range of technical, operational and support topics.
• The candidate must be a self-motivated leader and team player capable of working with minimum direction.
• The candidate must possess the ability to liaise with internal projects and other LoBs and external avionics companies.

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

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 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.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

Primary Location:

GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid