Project Engineering Lead

Job Description:

The Opportunity:

Leonardo has a unique opportunity for an Engineering Manager in the Combat Air (CA) Business Group at our modern and purpose-built Luton (Capability Green) site.

The Engineering Manager will need to be a talented and experienced Engineering Leader, familiar with working on complex electronic (ideally RF-based) sensor systems.

The Engineering Manager will join the newly formed Common Development Team (CDT) on a permanent basis to lead and manage a multi-disciplinary engineering team delivering to Integrated Project Teams (IPTs).

The Engineering Manager provides the engineering leadership and management in collaboration with the Chief Engineer and Senior Engineering Manager, to identify, develop, deliver and support the technical solution.
 

What you’ll bring as an Engineering Manager

As a CDT Engineering Manager in CA, you will be responsible for core development work supporting new products across the wider Electronic Warfare (EW) Line of Business (LoB).

The CDT will provide a common approach to the design and delivery of Receiver Hardware, Digital Signal Processing and Control Systems by maintaining a suite of designs that can be adapted or modified according to the product needs, in accordance with company process & contractual requirements.

It is a rare opportunity to be at the start of something, collaborating with senior stakeholders and implementing lessons identified from previous ways of working.

Typical day to day tasks include:

• Management of cross-site, multi-disciplined engineering teams, ensuring that roles within the teams are clearly defined.
• Leading the Engineering aspects of the Project, ensuring technical quality, schedule and budget.
• Establish and maintain good lines of communication internally across the Engineering IPT, with the IPT lead, Project Manager, functional heads.
• Create positive working relationships within the engineering team and all stakeholders, to deliver project capability.
• Work closely with the Systems Design Authority ensuring they are fully informed on technical progress, technical risk and any mitigation strategies.
• Ensure effective implementation of the company's Life-cycle design reviews.
• Ensure the design solution is compatible with the business area route map.
• Control project configuration and change management to ensure design reuse is maximised.
• Support the management of Suppliers and project Make or Buy decisions, as required

What we need from you:

You really must have:

• Strong knowledge and practical experience of working across different stages of the engineering lifecycle
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build effective relationships with engineers, managers, subject matter experts and customers
• Ability to produce clear concise engineering plans
• Good schedule and budget control.
• The ability to quickly understand and break down complex problems both on your own or as part of a team 
• The ability to keep track and manage a diverse set of activities with many interactions and dependencies
• Experience of managing, motivating and supporting multidisciplinary teams and can demonstrate team-working skills
• Experience of following a system change management process
• Commercially aware.

It would be nice if you had experience of:

• Good understanding of RF systems
• Experience of working in the defence electronics sector, ideally with airborne sensor systems.
• New Product Introduction
• Engineering or scientific Degree qualification (or equivalent)

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 - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid