At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and implementation of secure platforms across diverse environments.
- Company: Join Leonardo UK, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including flexible hours and generous leave.
- Other info: Hybrid working model available with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence and security while developing your technical skills.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in platform engineering and strong problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 76000 - 94000 £ per year.
Requirements
- Extensive technical expertise across multiple platform domains, with a track record of delivering secure solutions.
- Ability to balance hands‑on engineering with technical leadership and mentorship.
- Problem‑solving mindset, able to innovate and recommend the best approach for complex challenges.
- Core experience with Windows and Linux operating systems.
- Experience with virtualisation platforms such as VMware and Hyper‑V.
- Knowledge of privileged access management concepts and implementation, including Cyber Ark or similar.
- Experience with secure credential storage, rotation, and access control models.
- Experience integrating PAM into enterprise platforms and services.
- Knowledge of networking concepts including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and firewalls.
- Experience with automation and scripting using Power Shell, Bash, Python, Ansible, and Terraform.
- Knowledge of cyber security controls and accreditation requirements.
- Experience across the systems engineering lifecycle.
- Experience designing and implementing privileged access models across complex systems.
- Experience delivering within highly controlled or secure environments, such as air‑gapped or defence environments.
- Desirable: expertise with cloud platforms such as AWS and Azure and Infrastructure as Code.
- Desirable: experience integrating enterprise services such as Active Directory, PKI, monitoring, and SIEM.
- Desirable: hands‑on use of Dev Sec Ops tools and CI/CD pipelines.
- Desirable: experience automating account onboarding and offboarding using APIs.
- Desirable: experience integrating with SIEM and SOC tooling for audit and monitoring.
- Desirable: experience with containerisation platforms such as Kubernetes and Docker.
- Desirable: experience working with enterprise identity and access management solutions.
- This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Governments Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).
- An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) will apply.
- This role requires Developed Vetting (DV) clearance prior to starting.
Responsibilities
- Act as the technical authority on one of our platform engineering domains, such as virtualisation, providing specialist domain expertise to projects and programmes.
- Lead the design and implementation of secure platforms across on‑premise, hybrid, and cloud environments.
- Capture, analyse, and interpret complex customer requirements to drive system design and architecture.
- Develop high- and low‑level designs, ensuring alignment with secure‑by‑design principles.
- Take ownership of technical delivery within work packages, including planning, estimation, and progress reporting.
- Mentor, coach, and develop junior and senior engineers, raising technical capability across the community.
- Provide input to technology strategies, feasibility studies, and innovation projects.
- Engage with internal and external stakeholders, presenting technical solutions and justifying design decisions.
Technologies
- AWS
- Active Directory
- Ansible
- Azure
- Bash
- CI/CD
- Cloud
- Dev Sec Ops
- Docker
- Hyper‑V
- Support
- Kubernetes
- Linux
- Power Shell
- Python
- Security
- TCP/IP
- Terraform
- VMware
- Windows
- API
- Dev Ops
More
We are Leonardo UK, and our Principal Platform Engineers (Technical Specialist Path) are hands‑on experts who shape the design, integration, and delivery of secure platforms that keep our customers missions running.
We are seeking a Principal Platform Engineer to join our Cyber & Security Solutions Division team, focused on delivering, maintaining, and improving platform and systems engineering solutions that underpin critical defence, government and public sector services.
The role can be based at one of our UK sites in Yeovil and may involve a blended hybrid working model with a mixture of working from home and on site.
We offer a comprehensive, company‑funded benefits package that supports wellbeing, career development, and work‑life balance, including generous leave with up to 12 additional flexi‑days, an award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution, free access to mental health support and financial advice, online learning through Coursera and Linked In Learning, flexible benefits worth up to 500 annually, and flexible hours with hybrid working options.
We are a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security, headquartered in Italy, employing over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 UK sites.
We are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace.
Benefits
- company‑funded benefits package that supports wellbeing, career development, and work‑life balance
- generous leave with up to 12 additional flexi‑days
- an award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution
- free access to mental health support and financial advice
- online learning through Coursera and Linked In Learning
- flexible benefits worth up to 500 annually
- flexible hours with hybrid working options last updated 36 week of 2026
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Principal Platform Engineer - Yeovil 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Platform Engineer - Yeovil
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Leonardo DRS or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
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✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Leonardo DRS.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Leonardo DRS that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Platform Engineer - Yeovil
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Leonardo DRS.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Leonardo DRS and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo DRS
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Leonardo DRS uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.