Project Engineering Lead

Job Description:

Your impact

Want to help shape the future of defence in the electromagnetic battlespace?

We are looking for talented and motivated Engineers Managers to join our growing Land Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) business. At Leonardo, you’ll contribute to the development of innovative, cutting-edge capabilities for UK and export customers while benefiting from flexible working arrangements that support a healthy balance between business requirements and individual needs.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of defence technology, contributing directly to advanced solutions that enhance operational effectiveness in complex and contested electromagnetic environments. As part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, you will play a key role in defining, developing and delivering next-generation defence systems.

Working closely with customers, partners and stakeholders, you will apply your expertise across the full system lifecycle, from requirements definition and solution development through to integration, verification and in-service support.

You will contribute directly to some of the UK's most advanced land-based defence capabilities, including Land Electronic Warfare, Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) and next-generation Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RC-IED) equipment and solutions. These systems enable military users to exploit the electromagnetic spectrum, to generate operational advantage on the modern battlefield whilst also protecting friendly forces.

What you'll do;

• Lead a multi-disciplined engineering team
• Work closely with project managers and project engineering managers to deliver engineering outputs against agreed time, cost and performance targets.
• Develop clear and relevant engineering plans, establish key milestones, and identify risks, opportunities and interdependencies.
• Review engineering progress across projects and adapt plans as required to mitigate risks to cost, schedule or performance.
• Prepare and communicate monthly engineering status reports for assigned projects to the Head of Engineering Projects.
• Coordinate engineering inputs into bids and proposals as part of the business-winning process.
• Form part of the multi-functional management team within the Integrated Project Team (IPT) and represent Engineering at weekly and monthly progress and reporting meetings as required.

What you'll bring;

• An innovative and forward-thinking approach to solving complex engineering challenges
• A strong drive to deliver in a complex and dynamic environment
• Educated to a degree level in an engineering or related science based subject (essential)
• Previous experience of managing and/or leading multi-disciplined engineering teams, taking responsibility for schedule and budget (essential)
• Strong understanding and proven track record of engineering lifecycles and processes (essential)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (essential)
• Experience of working on the development of hardware electronics, firmware, mechanical and software based products (Essential)
• Experience of working on the development of EW and/or communications systems (Highly Desirable)
• Experience of collaborating with external partners and suppliers (Desirable)
• Experience of working within the defence or aerospace industry (Desirable)

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and The Security Check (SC). 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!

Primary Location:

GB - Basildon

Additional Locations:

GB - Southampton

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid