Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialist in Luton

Salary: 59,400- 68,500

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:

Leonardo’s Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) programme represents one of the most significant next‑generation defence avionics developments in Europe. This is a rare career‑defining opportunity to step into a pivotal national technical leadership role, at the heart of a world‑class engineering organisation with decades of expertise. Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialists are responsible for developing robust solutions and having broad experience across a number of the lifecycle phases and must be able to demonstrate a 'through life approach’ to manufacturing engineering. Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialists are expected to achieve objectives across longer term planning horizons and provide complex technical advice to both internal and external customers.

As a Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialist you will join the team to develop the operations manufacturing requirements of the future, taking innovative processes and equipment into account, enabling world class production of future Leonardo products. This role will require travel to other sites such as Edinburgh, Basildon and Southampton, with an opportunity to work from home on occasion.

What you will do:

• Provide specialist input including the application of specialist skills and knowledge into a project team to help ensure the delivery of a technically sound solution meeting all stakeholder requirements.
• Lead and deliver Manufacturing Engineering sections of the Manufacturing Maturity Reviews, maintain governance through the Lifecycle Management process and create / contribute / review and/or lead Manufacturing Plans, contributing to design and phase reviews, including demonstrating Manufacturing Readiness Level reviews.
• Track external developments and disruptive technologies to identify exploitation and knowledge sharing within the project team.
• Enable the future development of innovative manufacturing and testing processes for the EW domain by studying product requirements (including new materials), product/process/handling lessons learned, researching and exploring manufacturing methods and equipment; understanding feedback from internal stakeholders, conferring with equipment vendors or external suppliers.
• Ensure manufacturing and test decision-making information is robust with objectives and results through preparing product and process reports by collecting, analysing, and summarizing information and trends.
• Assure product and process quality by designing methods; validation/verification of process capabilities; establishing standards; confirming manufacturing processes.
• Create a culture which improves manufacturing efficiency by generating innovative ideas and solutions developing into infrastructure, cyber security, physical security requirements for the factory of the future developing into capacity analysis, simulation planning workflow, space requirements, and equipment layout.
• Take the above and developing manufacturing and test requirements for future designs, collaborating with engineering to influence concepts in preparation for the design and development stage.
• Advise and participate on improving policies and processes within the operations framework.
• Promote a culture of best practice sharing and knowledge exploitation.
• Mentor, coach and develop more junior members of the team in order to develop overall capability.
• Provide domain experience in support of customer and user engagement and product road maps.
• Maintain product and company reputation by complying with government regulations.

What you’ll bring:

• External Approvals (may include) Registration as a Chartered Engineer or other relevant Professional Body.
• In depth understanding of manufacturing and test processes and principles.
• Ability to influence and negotiate with others using data and analysis to support line of reasoning.
• A detailed understanding of the operational framework and business processes.
• An understanding of cross functional / commercial business processes and their own impact.
• Demonstrated knowledge, and experience of multiple phases of the Product Life Cycle and the associated processes.
• Experience of peer reviewing the work of others inside a product team and within a sub Engineering Unit and ensuring the resulting actions are implemented.
• Ability to communicate concepts in a non-technical way.
• Confidence and ability to challenge / respond to technical / process issues whilst understanding the broad impact of solutions (systems thinking).
• Ability to interact effectively and manage the relationships with customers and suppliers.
• Been involved in capability and / or process development, demonstrating an ability to implement a change to working practices.
• Qualifications HND or above in an engineering related discipline.

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 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 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 - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid

Job Summary Job number: R0031175 Date posted: 2026-07-14 Profession: Manufacturing & Supply Chain Employment type: Full time