Principal Project Engineer

Job Description:

Your impact

Are you an experienced engineer keen to move into engineering management or a project manager with an engineering background and a desire to gain a deeper appreciation for large-scale complex engineering delivery? You could be part of one the UK’s most exciting and challenging Aerospace projects.

Leonardo’s European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 is due to be in service with UK RAF Typhoons towards the end of the decade providing world-leading capability with optimised and enhanced traditional Radar functionality. The ECRS Mk2 development team, operating within the SAFe development approach, are looking for a talented person to work with over 90 talented Systems and Software Engineers to deliver long lead-time Systems design activities and the functional roadmap for the Radar Processing Solution.

What you’ll do as a Principal Project Engineer: 

• Reporting directly to the Functional Project Engineering Manager, working closely with project management and Systems & Software development team to influence decisions quickly within the project.
• Be responsible for Work Package budget management including such tasks as; charge code management; monthly budget and spend monitoring and follow-up with teams; support to Primavera P6 planning activities; providing estimates for bids and re-estimates with impact analysis to support budget changes.
• Support engineering/project management on Planning, Risk, Scheduling, Forward load, and Design Reviews.
• Monitor development teams progress against plans, including impact analysis of any slips/issues, and communicate to engineering/project management.
• Support to PEM for monthly resource demand updates including such tasks as; resource demand monitoring; providing role descriptions; support to recruitment process; highlighting training requirements and team development needs.
• Support to Project reviews, for example; monthly Budget Holder reviews; SAFe Programme Increment planning and customer reporting; Functional Project Tracking & Oversight reviews and attend weekly Engineering Management meetings.
• Promote an environment of continual development and support the growth of knowledge and expertise across the team.
• Maintain a positive working relationship across all internal and external stakeholders.

• Prepare and deliver monthly reporting and metrics to engineering/project management.

What you’ll bring

• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders, using data and analysis to support line of reasoning
• Self-motivated with an aptitude for problem solving and driving difficult issues to conclusion.
• Ability to work independently within well-defined procedures and require minimal supervision
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience of delivery to a variety of audiences.
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated with a strong ability to foster and develop effective working relationships with both external and internal stakeholders at varying levels of seniority, while working in challenging environments with often fluid priorities.

What would make you stand out from the crowd:

• Previous experience with SAP/Primavera or similar tool for planning and project management activities.

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). 

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 - Edinburgh

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid