At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented team in shaping the future of military aviation.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a leader in defence technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional growth and access to 4,000+ online courses.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security and combat aviation.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s in Electronic Engineering and strong technical leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
hackajob is collaborating with Leonardo to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.
Would you like the opportunity to be at the heart of a highly complex engineering challenge that will shape the future of military aviation in the UK for years to come? We are seeking an outstanding technical leader to join Leonardo as Sector Chief Engineer for the Future Combat Air (FCA) Line of Business—a pivotal role at the heart of the UK’s next‑generation combat air capability. In this highly visible and strategically critical position, you will provide technical direction and leadership to an exceptionally talented team of multi‑disciplined engineers spanning multiple programmes, including Team Tempest, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and other classified activities. Together, these programmes are shaping the future of the RAF’s next‑generation fighter aircraft. This role requires primarily on‑site working at our Capability Green site in Luton due to national security considerations, with occasional UK and international travel. You must already hold, or be eligible to obtain, Developed Vetting (DV) National Security clearance.
What You Will Do As a Sector Chief Engineer
- Provide overall technical leadership and authority across FCA engineering activities.
- Ensure engineering outputs meet customer requirements and comply with company engineering processes and safety, security, and airworthiness regulatory requirements.
- Set the technical direction through leadership of System Design Authorities (SDA), Systems Architects, and Technical Specialists.
- Lead, mentor, develop and recruit the SDA technical community and chair the FCA Chief Engineers Forum.
- Act as the senior technical reviewer and authorised signatory within FCA.
- Represent Leonardo in senior‑level government customer and industry partner engagements.
- Lead complex technical investigations and resolve technical conflicts and priorities.
- Drive design commonality, reuse, and modularity across all engineering disciplines, ensuring that the highest levels of Engineering standards are maintained and the integrity of design solutions are assured.
- Shape technology and product roadmaps in collaboration with Design Integrity, Capability Management and external customers.
- Champion continuous engineering improvement and support strategic initiatives led by the VP Engineering (FCA).
What You’ll Bring
This role offers a unique chance to make a real impact on national security and contribute to a programme that is vital to the future of combat aviation. If you’re a visionary leader with a passion for defence technology, and a commitment to engineering excellence, we’d love to hear from you.
You Really Must Have
- A Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering or a closely related discipline.
- A strong technical background in the design, qualification and certification of mission critical equipment.
- Significant depth of technical leadership experience spanning the entire engineering lifecycle, including systems and platform integration, and the application of relevant design assurance processes and standards.
- A structured approach to technical problem solving, excellent communication skills, and experience of providing technical leadership to engineering teams.
- On the path to achieving professional registration as a Chartered Engineer.
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, which 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.
Primary Location: GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300
Contract Type: Permanent
Hybrid Working: Hybrid
Sector Chief Engineer in Luton employer: hackajob
At Leonardo, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the defence sector, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and engineering excellence thrive. Our Capability Green site in Luton provides a collaborative atmosphere with exceptional benefits, including generous leave, an award-winning pension scheme, and extensive professional development opportunities through online courses. Join us to make a meaningful impact on national security while enjoying a supportive culture that values your wellbeing and career growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sector Chief Engineer in Luton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Leonardo on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Leonardo's projects, especially the Future Combat Air programmes. Show them you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about their mission and vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your technical leadership stories! Be ready to discuss how you've led teams through complex challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Leonardo.
We think you need these skills to ace Sector Chief Engineer in Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for defence technology shine through. We want to see your commitment to engineering excellence and how you can contribute to shaping the future of military aviation.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience that aligns with the role of Sector Chief Engineer. Focus on your technical leadership skills and any experience in systems integration or design assurance processes that will make you stand out.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and experiences, ensuring we can easily see how you meet the requirements outlined in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, you’ll ensure your application gets to the right people and you can easily track your progress throughout the hiring process.
How to prepare for a job interview at hackajob
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
As a Sector Chief Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your deep understanding of electronic engineering and mission-critical equipment. Brush up on relevant design assurance processes and standards, and be ready to discuss your experience with systems integration and technical leadership.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've led multi-disciplined teams, mentored engineers, and resolved technical conflicts. Highlight your structured approach to problem-solving and how you’ve driven engineering improvements in past roles.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with Leonardo's Future Combat Air programmes and their significance to national security. Be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with the company's goals and how you can contribute to shaping the future of military aviation in the UK.
✨Prepare for Security Clearance Questions
Since this role requires Developed Vetting (DV) National Security clearance, be ready to answer questions about your background and any potential security concerns. Understanding the vetting process will show that you're serious about the role and its responsibilities.
