At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop airborne Free Space Optical Communication systems while solving real engineering challenges.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values creativity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the UK's Defence Industry with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Strong background in engineering, physics, or maths; experience in optical communication systems is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 48600 - 59400 £ per year.
Are you a Systems Engineer who loves contributing to the UK’s Defence Industry and making impactful change? Leonardo has a fantastic opportunity for an Engineer to work on the modelling of airborne Free Space Optical Communication systems. You will be working on real Engineering problems, designing and developing solutions that sit at the heart of our products.
Your Impact
Our Systems Engineers span across a range of activities that help pull together all the necessary engineering and technology strands into a high-performance system. As a Systems Engineer, you will bridge the gap between the theoretically possible and the practically implementable. The successful candidate will work with sub-contractors and industry partners to construct a model, devise and run experiments and interpret the results.
What you'll do
- Build an optical laboratory for investigating the performance of optical communication systems.
- Build and maintain MATLAB models of optical based airborne communication systems.
- Investigate new approaches to achieve the customer’s requirements.
- Guide the development of free-space optical communication systems.
- Discuss the experiments and results internally and with external stakeholders including customers, external partners and subcontractors.
- Work cooperatively with subcontractors and international partners to achieve a common solution.
- Assemble, integrate and test subsystems.
- Provide input to a proposal to create an internationally recognised standard for Optical Communications.
What you'll bring
Successful candidates will have a strong technical background in an engineering, physics or maths-based subject. System-wide understanding of optical communication systems, with an ability to assess the performance of all the subsystems that comprise an optical communication system is also essential, including:
- Lasers
- Modulators
- Detectors
- Optical Amplifiers
- Wavelength filters
- Polarisation controllers
Experience working in an optical laboratory, ideally with experience in aligning free-space setups and coupling into optical fibres. Experience with model development in a high-level programming language. The ability to perform rigorous analysis independently and confidently present the results internally and externally.
It would be nice if you had knowledge/experience of:
- MATLAB
- Software engineering techniques, such as test development and version control (git)
- Laboratory automation
- Digital Modulation, Channel coding, and other aspects of the physical layer of a communication system
- Assessing the performance of optical communication systems considering the SNR, BER and bandwidth limitations
- Development of free-space optical communication systems for deployment in field environments
- Resiliency strategies and techniques in free-space optical communications
- Working as a member of a large team in developing complex engineered systems
- Understanding of the optomechanical considerations for field deployment of optical systems
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
Successful candidates will be UK nationals. 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 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.
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!
Free Space Optical Comms Systems Engineer in Southampton employer: Leonardo S.p.A.
Leonardo UK is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave, an award-winning pension scheme, and access to extensive learning resources, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in Edinburgh, the role of Lead Project Manager provides unique opportunities for collaboration within a diverse team, contributing to cutting-edge projects in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Free Space Optical Comms Systems Engineer in Southampton
✨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 Free Space Optical Comms Systems Engineer role you’re after at Leonardo S.p.A..
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We think you need these skills to ace Free Space Optical Comms Systems Engineer in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Free Space Optical Comms Systems 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 S.p.A. 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 S.p.A. 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 S.p.A.
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Leonardo S.p.A., 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 S.p.A. 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.
