GCAP Lead Systems Engineer in Edinburgh

The Lead Systems Engineer is responsible for the technical leadership, planning, and execution of systems engineering activities across a programme or major project. The role ensures that customer and stakeholder needs are translated into a coherent, balanced and verifiable system solution that can be delivered to time, cost, and quality. This role works closely with the Systems Engineering Manager (SEM) for Functional Delivery.

Working closely with the SEM and other internal stakeholders, the Lead System Engineer ensures systems engineering processes, tools, and governance are effectively applied throughout the lifecycle to deliver a technically robust, verifiable, and certifiable radar system in compliance with applicable standards, and in accordance with agreed project milestones and KPIs.

What You’ll Do

• Technical Leadership: Provide overall technical leadership for systems engineering activities across the assigned scope of your project. Lead the model-based systems engineering activities across the GCAP IPT, instilling good practice and improving tool knowledge and application across the systems engineering team. As part of the international Joint Systems Team, become the MBSE point of contact with the international working groups.
• Process & Governance: 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. Administration of MBSE and account management. In conjunction with the Chief System Engineer and Systems Engineering Manager, define and monitor metrics for systems engineering maturity, requirements stability, and verification coverage.
• Programme Delivery: Ensure project outputs meet the expected quality, schedule and budget. Provide support to 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.
• Technical Coordination: 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.

What You’ll Bring

• Strong experience in systems engineering across the full lifecycle.
• Knowledge of MBSE approaches and tools (e.g. SysML, Cameo, DOORS).
• Proven capability leading system definition, requirements, and verification.
• Experience working in complex, multi‑disciplinary engineering environments.
• Ability to communicate complex technical issues clearly to varied stakeholders.
• Experience of design reviews, trade studies, and technical governance.

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.
• 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.

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!