Job DescriptionLeonardo has an exciting and immediate vacancy for a Chief Systems Engineer, someone with a passion for contributing to the UK’s Defence Industry and making impactful change. The role is based on a hybrid basis at our purpose‑built site in Southampton, with an on‑site presence essential and flexible working arrangements available.
What You’ll Do
The Chief Systems Engineer acts as the focal point for Systems Engineering Governance and ensures our capability trends positively. You will provide direction, guidance and expertise, provide a clear point of contact for Systems Engineering, and support the Business Area Head of Engineering Projects, Chief Engineer and the Line of Business Head of Systems Engineering.
- Your teams assess problems completely
- They reuse techniques and artefacts across the portfolio of projects
- They manage complexity through well‑architected systems
- They predict and mitigate emergent behaviours at system or integrated levels
- Projects create and enact the correct verification and validation strategy
Day to Day Duties
- Influence the development of Engineering artefacts, technical direction and stakeholder satisfaction
- Work across highly demanding, complex programmes spanning the full engineering lifecycle in Airborne Comms and Naval Information & Communication System teams
- Act as focal point for systems engineering governance, supporting Lifecycle Management activities
- Provide expertise and coaching to ensure engineers understand problems and stakeholder needs at all lifecycle stages
- Ensure appropriate concepting, modelling and simulation techniques are used to inform architectures and solution options
- Influence whole‑life design considerations (Safety, Security, Manufacture, Test, Supportability, Through Life Support) in line with company processes
- Support quarterly threat and mitigation reviews across the Business Area’s project status and initiatives
- Represent Leonardo within Systems Engineering bodies such as INCOSE
- Identify trends and share lessons learned to improve quality and efficiency of future work
- Promote an agile mindset and culture of experimentation and rapid learning
- Collaborate with peers across the UK to promote continual learning and act as a change agent
What You’ll Bring
Ideally you are currently a Chief Systems Engineer or a Lead Engineer seeking an advanced role. You should be a systems thinker with:
- Experience applying governance and guidance on Systems Engineering LCM processes
- Experience working in Integrated Project Teams delivering Engineering artefacts
- Experience eliciting stakeholder expectations
- Experience creating and defining architectures
- Experience managing and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders
- Proven leadership and decision‑making skills in a high‑complexity, dynamic environment
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; effective influencer
- Understanding of integration, cost, schedule and quality implications and mitigations
- Motivation, tenacity and determination, and a desire to deliver results
Additional desirable experience includes:
- Model‑Based Systems Engineering tools and methodologies
- Large‑scale Systems Integration programmes with cost, schedule and quality implications
- Domain experience in Telecommunications, RF, Electronic Warfare, Electro‑Optics, Air/Land/Sea subsystem integration, Data Distribution Services, Sensor Fusion, AI/Machine Learning
- Practitioner level ability using Model Driven Engineering tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler, Matlab, Simulink, DOORS, Polarion
Security Clearance
This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Additional Personnel Security Controls such as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, potentially requiring 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
£80k to £95k. Leonardo UK operates a grade‑based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role.
Why Join Us
We offer a comprehensive, company‑funded benefits package that supports wellbeing, career development and work‑life balance.
- Generous leave with up to 12 additional flexi‑days per year
- Employer‑contributed pension scheme up to 15%
- Free access to mental health support, financial advice and inclusion networks
- Employee bonus scheme for management level and below
- Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning
- Referral programme with financial reward
- Flexible benefits up to £500 annually for healthcare, dental, family cover, tech discounts, gym memberships, etc.
- Hybrid work options with flexible hours, including hybrid working arrangements
Primary Location
GB – Southampton
Contract Type
Permanent
Hybrid Working
Hybrid
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