Systems Engineering Manager

Job Description:

At Leonardo, we solve real-world engineering challenges, designing and developing mission-critical solutions that power some of the world’s most advanced defence and security systems.

Your work will contribute to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) – Future generation Multi-Function Radio Frequency System (MRFS).

The GCAP MRFS Systems Engineering Manager (SEM) and Joint Systems Team (JST) Lead is responsible for leading the planning, execution, and governance of systems engineering activities within the GCAP C&A programme. This role works in close collaboration with the Chief Systems Engineer (CSE) and Project Engineering Manager (PEM) for Functional Delivery.

The SEM and JST Lead ensures systems engineering processes, tools, and people are effectively deployed to deliver a technically robust, verifiable, and certifiable radar system — on time, to cost, and in compliance with applicable standards, co-ordinating across the partner Systems Engineering Teams to make sure shared milestones and KPIs are met.

We are looking for a candidate who has both a sound technical background and prior experience in a leadership position. The role will require a skilled leader and experienced systems engineer in order to ensure the IPT is supported and remain focused on delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Lead the MRFS systems engineering team within the programme — providing line management, mentoring, and development of systems engineers.
• Lead the National and International Joint Systems Engineering Teams within the GCAP C&A programme – providing team management, work package definition, management, co-ordination and ensuring a productive and effective team including tri-national partners where necessary.
• Define and maintain the Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP), ensuring alignment with company lifecycle and customer expectations.
• Allocate and manage systems engineering resources across work packages in line with the SEMP, coordinating priorities with the Chief Systems Engineer (CSE) and PEM.
• Ensure appropriate skills mix and competency levels within the GCAP C&A Systems team, supporting recruitment and training plans.
• Own the short- and long-term planning of SE activities, developing and maintaining the Integrated Project Schedule and roadmap.
• Establish and maintain good lines of communications across the engineering team, with the Project Engineering Managers, Project Managers and Systems Engineering function.

Process & Governance

• Own and continuously improve the systems engineering process framework for the programme.
• Support engineering design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.) and ongoing Maturity Based Reviews – ensuring the production of all required artefacts.
• Maintain configuration control of requirements, models, and verification evidence via tools such as CAMEO, DOORS and TCU.
• Oversee requirements management (capture, decomposition, traceability, and verification planning) and ensure alignment with the system baseline.
• In conjunction with the CSE, define and monitor metrics for systems engineering maturity, requirements stability, and verification coverage.

Programme Delivery

• Support the Chief Systems Engineers in translating customer and mission needs into system-level requirements and architecture.
• Work closely with the Chief System Engineers to ensure project outputs meet the expected quality, schedule and budget.
• Provide support to the ITEA work package lead in the definition and planning of verification and validation activities, including integration and acceptance.
• Work with specialists (such as safety and security) to co-ordinate their input to the main project.
• Contribute to risk management — identify, assess, and mitigate technical and programmatic risks within the SE domain.
• Provide accurate reporting of SE progress, risks, and issues into PEM & programme governance forums.
• Coordinate and engage with LUK functions to deliver the outputs from the JST including Joint International documents such as software architectures and LRI cardinal specifications.

Technical Coordination

• Provide technical oversight to all SE work, including reviews, direction and general problem solving.
• Interface closely with:
  • Chief Systems Engineer / Systems Architects – to align on architecture, interfaces, and performance budgets.
  • Software, Firmware, Test Equipment, Hardware and Safety Leads – to ensure coherent system definition and integration.
  • Customer & broader GCAP community – to agree technical solution wrt to the System Specification and external ICD.
• Support major design trade studies, ensuring systems engineering discipline underpins decision-making.
• Champion MBSE adoption, maintaining consistency between models, requirements, and verification artefacts.

Key Deliverables

• Approved Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP)
• Systems engineering metrics dashboard and status reports
• Requirements and verification baselines (in DOORS / equivalent)
• SE contribution to programme risk register
• Co-ordination and Management of effective and successful Joint Systems Engineering Teams – International and National.

Success Measures

• Stable, verified, and traceable requirements baseline
• Delivery of radar system design reviews to schedule and quality
• Full verification coverage and timely closure of anomalies
• High staff engagement and competency growth in SE team
• Compliance with company and customer systems engineering process
• Successful formation and operation of tri-national and national JST, delivering milestone outputs as planned.

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!

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