Job Description
hackajob is collaborating with Leonardo to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.
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Job Description:
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Your Impact
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Are you an experienced Systems Engineering leader, able to guide large teams?
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Are you passionate about Systems Engineering?
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Are you able to coach and develop the Systems Engineers of the future?
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The Chief Systems Engineer acts as the focal point for Systems Engineering Governance and ensures our Systems Engineering capability trends in a positive direction. The role will provide a clear point of contact on Systems Engineering capability for the Sector Head of Engineering Projects, Sector Chief Engineer and the Head of Systems Engineering.
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What we build is exciting, interesting, challenging and complex. A diverse product portfolio of airborne RF sensing technologies, with each programme at a different stage in its development lifecycle. Given this complexity, it requires each programme to connect with the “Art of Systems Engineering” to ensure we are doing the right activities at the right time.
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The focus of this role is to provide direction, guidance and expertise to ensure:
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- nOur systems engineering team define the problem completelyn
- nOur teams reuse techniques and artefacts across the portfolio of projectsn
- nOur teams manage complexity through architecting our systems welln
- nOur teams predict and mitigate emergent behaviours when operating at a system or system of systems leveln
- nOur projects create and enact the correct verification and validation strategyn
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As a Chief Systems Engineer, you will influence each product, its technical direction and our customers’ satisfaction.
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We are looking for someone passionate about our products, with a systems-thinking approach and proven experience of forming and leading high performing teams. You will thrive in dynamic environments, with the ability to make decisions quickly under pressure and set a clear technical vision for the team.
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Given the nature of the work at this level we are able to offer custom working, however some on-site working is expected.
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What you’ll do
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As the Chief Systems Engineer, you will:
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- nAct as the point of contact for all things Systems Engineering to the Sector Chief Engineer, Head of Systems Engineering and Head of Engineering Projectsn
- nBe a coach in the art of systems engineeringn
- nProvide expertise and guidance to ensure our engineers define the problem completelyn
- nEnsure programmes capture the views and needs of all our stakeholders, covering the full lifecycle and different stakeholder types, including bridging the gap between Engineering and Capabilityn
- nEnsure the right concepting, modelling and simulation techniques are used to identify and mitigate emergent propertiesn
- nChampion Design for Excellence (DfX) concepts for Systems Engineeringn
- nProvide expertise and guidance on System Architecting and System Synthesis conceptsn
- nPromote and provide guidance and expertise on “System of Systems Engineering”n
- nAct as the focal point for systems engineering governance, supporting Lifecycle Management (LCM) activities related to systems engineering such as bids, design reviews and auditsn
- nChampion innovative approaches and modern techniques across the full lifecyclen
- nHold quarterly threat and mitigation reviews across the sectorn
- nRepresent Leonardo within Systems Engineering bodies and groups of interest, such as INCOSEn
- nIdentify trends across your sector, capturing and sharing lessons learned to improve the quality and efficiency of future workn
- nProvide the right metrics to capture improvements and opportunitiesn
- nOwn and drive a sector 6 month improvement plan aligned with the needs of the LoB and Systems Engineering improvement plann
- nWork with the Systems People & Capability Lead and project stakeholders to optimise the skills and capability profile across the sectorn
- nEnable and optimise collaboration across engineering disciplinesn
- nDeliver an agile approach to systems engineering, building a culture of experimentation and failing fast.n
- nUnderstand what lies beyond our black boxes, promoting how digital technologies can be used to improve our systems approachn
- nChampion Human Factors Integration approachesn
- nCollaborate with your peers in similar roles across the UK to promote a culture of continual learning and improvement, acting as a change agent for systems engineeringn
- nIdentify and develop your own Systems Engineering specialism, becoming a recognised expert across the EW LoB / Electronics divisionn
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Progression
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This is a new senior leadership role within Systems Engineering, where we would expect you to progress into a Programme Chief Engineer, Head of Discipline, or Chief Technical Specialist role for Systems Engineering. In order to do this, you will explicitly identify and coach a small number of potential successors.
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What you'll bring
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Ideally, we are looking for a systems thinker, someone with:
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- nExperience in applying governance and guidance on Systems Engineering LCM processn
- nExperience in eliciting stakeholder expectationsn
- nExperience in creating and defining architecturesn
- nExperience in managing and collaborating with external stakeholders.n
- nProven leadership and decision-making skills in a high complexity, dynamic environment at a senior level.n
- nExcellent communication and interpersonal skills, proven ability to build trust and respect at different levels.n
- nExperience of integration, with an understanding of the resultant issues, cost and schedule implications, and potential mitigations.n
- nTenacity and determination, with a desire to deliver outputs and results.n
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Security Clearance
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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:
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Why join us
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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.
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- nTime to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.n
- nSecure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.n
- nYour 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).n
- nRewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.n
- nNever Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.n
- nRefer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.n
- nTailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.n
- nFlexible 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.n
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Benefits
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To find out about all of our Company benefits please visit:
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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!
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Primary Location:
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GB – Luton – Cap. Green 300
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Additional Locations:
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GB – Bristol – Coldharbour Lane
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Contract Type:
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Permanent
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Hybrid Working:
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Onsite
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