At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop high-performance hardware for cutting-edge Surveillance RADAR systems.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values creativity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in engineering while working on innovative projects.
- Qualifications: STEM degree or equivalent experience in electronics design and integration.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 71400 £ per year.
Salary: 54,000 to 71,400
Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.
Your Impact
Are you an experienced Hardware Engineer that would like to aid in the delivery of high-performance hardware that forms part of our Surveillance RADAR systems? If so, we would love to hear from you. In this role, you will experience the full engineering lifecycle within Leonardo assisting with requirement and architecture definition and maturation, the design of new novel PCB level electronics and work with the wider project team to support integration and qualification of product.
What you’ll bring:
- Provide design of product within the Electronics Hardware discipline, to ensure successful delivery / transfer to production.
- Ensure engineering design is best practice by following Company and Engineering life cycle processes.
- Design engineering solutions taking into account all requirements such as product quality, safety, reliability and testability.
- Create work package plans, advising on optimum team size/capability mix and reporting against the teams work programmes including analysis of risk.
- Resolve routine and complex technical and delivery issues within engineering, related to defined work package assignments, and in accordance with local team engineering plans and processes.
- Communicate non-routine technical and delivery issues to local engineering team or direct line management with resolution proposals.
- Support a culture of innovation within the local team, engineering discipline, and wider business that creates solutions to project and business problems.
- Promote a culture of best practice sharing and knowledge exploitation.
- Contribute to local team and Engineering Unit decision making.
- Participate in continuous improvement activities to develop skills and competencies within the individual’s own engineering discipline and wider project.
- May supervise an Engineer or Senior Engineer.
- Participate in self-development activities to improve Skills & Competencies in the specific engineering discipline and wider project.
The skills and experience we are looking for:
- Higher education approved STEM qualification at degree level as a minimum or equivalent as recognised by professional accreditation schemes.
- Circuit design (schematic capture) layout and simulation practitioner experience.
- Mixed signal knowledge using ADC/DAC, FPGA, SoC based design for high performance signal processing, communications and control.
- Integrating in-house designs with COTS modules (power supplies, single board computers, RF interfaces).
- Analysing system level requirements documents and understanding their application to Hardware designs.
- Good domain knowledge of high-speed serial communication links and knowledge of associated protocols and architectures, Power Supply Design and Analogue Design.
- Hands on experience of Hardware, Firmware & Software Integration of Micro Processor Based designs onto hardware platforms is essential.
- Debugging, testing and verification of new designs and supporting their commissioning and integration into the target system.
- Ability to liaise with suppliers of key components and assemblies.
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.
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 - Edinburgh
Additional Locations: GB - Newcastle
Contract Type: Employee-Permanent
Hybrid Working: Hybrid
Job Summary
Job number: R0018443
Date posted: 2026-06-05
Profession: Engineering
Employment type: Full time
Principal Electronics Engineer in Edinburgh employer: Leonardo DRS
Leonardo DRS is an excellent employer for students seeking practical experience in a supportive and dynamic environment. Located in Bedford, the company fosters a collaborative work culture that encourages personal growth and skill development, making it an ideal place for young individuals to kickstart their careers in inventory management and logistics. With hands-on training and mentorship opportunities, students can gain valuable insights while contributing to meaningful projects over their temporary tenure.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Electronics Engineer in Edinburgh
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Principal Electronics Engineer role you’re after at Leonardo DRS.
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✨Engage with Online Communities
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We think you need these skills to ace Principal Electronics Engineer in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Principal Electronics Engineer, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Leonardo DRS a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Leonardo DRS specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo DRS
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Leonardo DRS, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Leonardo DRS want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
