At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Systems Engineering for radar projects, ensuring technical excellence and governance.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, comprehensive benefits, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cutting-edge radar technology and shape the future of engineering.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in Systems Engineering and strong leadership skills required.
Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.
The Radar Sector Chief Systems Engineer provides independent Systems Engineering oversight across our radar portfolio, which has global reach. This senior role influences technical coherence, effectiveness and continuous improvements of Systems Engineering practice, while building project accountability through strong governance of project artefacts and activities, supporting and developing individual project Chief Systems Engineers. Acting as the focal point for Systems Engineering strategy and governance, you will help senior leaders make better technical decisions earlier in the lifecycle.
As a member of the Systems functional team, you will work closely with Sector Chief Engineers, Project Engineering Management and People & Capability leaders to build future-ready capability, shaping technical direction, strengthening engineering confidence and improving customer outcomes across diverse Radar architectures, technologies and sensing modalities.
What You'll Do
- Radar Systems Engineering Leadership
- Provide coaching in effective Systems Engineering practice, methods, modelling techniques and architectural thinking.
- Promote and guide the use of appropriate concept development, analysis, modelling and simulation techniques to identify risks, emergent behaviours and architectural trade-off analysis.
- Drive adoption of innovative and modern SE methods across the lifecycle, including digital engineering, model-based systems engineering and agile SE practices.
- Governance, Assurance and Improvement
- Act as the focal point for Systems Engineering governance supporting Lifecycle Management (LCM) activities, design reviews, audits, and bid or early lifecycle technical guidance where appropriate.
- Own the sector Systems Engineering strategy, technical governance and technical authority across Leonardo's Radar sectors.
- Identify cross-sector trends, lessons learned and opportunities to improve efficiency and quality.
- Capability, Workforce and Communities
- Develop and maintain the Radar Systems Engineering capability roadmap, including critical skills, emerging skills, development priorities, and sector-wide methods and systems engineering tooling.
- Strengthen collaboration across engineering disciplines.
- Strategic Influence and Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the primary point of contact for Systems Engineering matters with sector technical leadership.
- Represent Leonardo in external Systems Engineering bodies or forums.
- Collaborate with peer Chief Systems Engineers across the UK.
Key Deliverables
The Radar Sector Chief Systems Engineer is expected to deliver and maintain:
- A clear strategy and improvement plan for the execution of Systems Engineering across Radar programmes, with systematic measurement at its core.
- A view of Systems Engineering capability, including critical skills, gaps, for both Systems Engineering methodologies and Radar domain knowledge.
- Sector guidance and practical direction on Systems Engineering process tailoring.
- A strong desire to elevate Systems Engineering skills and maturity within Radar development, bringing your skills from your domain experiences e.g. Nuclear, Process Engineering, Rail.
- Experience applying Systems Engineering governance and Life Cycle Management process at sector or programme level.
- Excellent communication and credibility with engineering, leadership and customers.
- Determination, resilience and a drive for high-quality engineering outcomes.
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.
Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
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.
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. At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace.
Director of systems engineering in Edinburgh employer: Leonardo DRS
Leonardo is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets collaboration. As a Campaign Manager, you'll thrive in a culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth, supported by comprehensive benefits including an award-winning pension scheme and access to over 4,000 online courses. With flexible working options and a commitment to inclusion, Leonardo empowers you to make a meaningful impact in the defence and aerospace sector while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
