Senior / Principal Systems Engineer in Southampton

Are you an experienced Systems Engineer or Scientist who loves contributing to the UKs Defence Industry and making impactful change? We are recruiting for Senior and Principal Systems Engineers in our growing Detectors Area of Business in Southampton, who can apply their expertise to deliver cutting‑edge Electro‑Optics/InfraRed (EO/IR) capabilities across a diverse range of projects.

Your Impact

Our Systems Engineers span across a range of activities that help pull together all the necessary engineering and technology strands into a high‑performance system. As a Systems Engineer, you will bridge the gap between the theoretically possible and the practically implementable. What we build is exciting, interesting, challenging and complex. A diverse product portfolio of EO/IR technologies, with each programme at a different stage in its development lifecycle.

Typical work you might be involved in:

• Applied research: Early research looking into exploiting new EO/IR technologies or concepts.
• Requirements capture, definition, development, modelling, manufacture, test, and verification of EO/IR technologies.
• Applying and improving systems engineering processes across the full lifecycle.
• Collaborating with integrated project teams to design, build, and deliver EO/IR equipment.

To be successful you will demonstrate passion for your trade by instilling a systems‑thinking approach based on experience forming and leading high performing teams. You will be able to influence those you work with, thrive in dynamic environments, demonstrate resilience when faced with adversity, and be able to make decisions quickly under pressure while setting a clear technical vision for the project team. Given the extensive people engagement nature of the work, we are still able to offer custom working that allows for a combination of home and on‑site working i.e. flexible working delivering effective results.

What you’ll bring

You will be educated within a STEM area and have proven domain experience in EO/IR technologies, with the following attributes:

• Requirements capture and management
• System definition and development
• Modelling and analysis
• Verification and validation
• Full engineering lifecycle application
• Experience with Model Based Design (MBD) tools and methodologies to support describing and analysing through the problem to implementation domains
• Experience working in product development teams delivering Engineering artefacts successfully
• Experience in managing and collaborating with internal/external stakeholders
• Proven decision‑making skills in a high complexity, dynamic environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, proven ability to build trust and respect at different levels
• Motivation, tenacity and determination, with a desire to deliver outputs and results

The following experience/skills are very desirable:

• Working experience and/or understanding of electronics design
• PhD, EngD or Post‑graduate degree in electro‑optics
• Practitioner level ability using Model Driven Engineering tools e.g. Cameo Systems Modeler, MATLAB, Simulink
• Experience in using a requirement management tool to manage relationships of requirement and other project artefacts (DOORS, Polarion, Jama)

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 well‑being, 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.