At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering projects, designing systems to counter drones and integrate advanced technologies.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a leader in innovative defence solutions with a collaborative team culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal development and engagement with diverse stakeholders.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on cutting-edge technology and contribute to national security.
- Qualifications: Engineering degree and extensive experience in systems engineering and integration.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 71000 £ per year.
Job
Description: Leonardo has an exciting opportunity for a Senior or Principal Systems Engineer to work on real engineering problems, designing and developing our system of systems solutions.
You will have the skills and competencies to fulfil the role of Senior or Principal Systems Engineer on major programmes, this will involve leadership, including planning and scheduling, for several Systems Engineering Work Packages throughout the life cycle of the project.
Our Systems Engineers span across a range of activities and help pull together all the necessary engineering and technology strands into high-performance systems.
Working within a growing team based in Basildon, Essex.
Your impact You will be engaged on projects Countering UAS (Uncrewed Air Systems – Drones), within our Mission Systems team, focusing on large scale strategic integrated Radar, Electro-Optic, and CEMA Sensors, Command and Control software, and mobile CUAS.
We are currently running major delivery programmes, as well as active campaigns.
The role is inward and outward facing, working closely with customers and our engineering team to support delivery of a solution that is compliant with user needs, aligned with Leonardo strategy and delivers high quality, highly capable and effective solutions.
You must have proven experience in all aspects of the Systems Engineering lifecycle, from bid stage to product support, which includes requirements capture, design, analysis/modelling, integration, test and acceptance.
The candidate will work within Leonardo’s engineering delivery model, which provides a controlled and supportive framework for the achievement of excellence in system design.
The successful candidate would be joining a dedicated team with a full and stretching workload, with huge potential for personal development and growth.
- Key Responsibility Areas
- Engagement with customer, suppliers, product teams and other stakeholders to support the definition of the overall solution, taking responsibility for elements of the detailed solution.
- Working with stakeholders to create and agree top level solution documentation including system architecture/design documents.
- Working with the team, suppliers, and customers, to reach equitable and mutually acceptable conclusions consistent with Leonardo principles.
- Ensuring technical requirements are flowed down to subsystems / subcontractors.
- Ensuring that design integrity requirements (activities and deliverables) are correctly flowed down to subcontractors and internal providers.
- Presenting elements of system and sub-system design reviews.
- Defining, managing and leading Verification and Validation activities.
- Creation or Review of outgoing technical documents.
- Leading System/sub-system fault finding and integration troubleshooting activities in demanding timescales.
- Review of incoming technical documents /drawings from subcontractors.
- Technical acceptance of subcontracted and internal sub-elements.
- Supporting the Certification of the overall solution and sub-elements.
- What you’ll bring
- Engineering Degree qualification (or equivalent experience).
- Highly experienced at systems engineering, including integration of complex systems.
- Demonstrated verbal and written communication and presentation skills, producing work of accurate and presentable quality in the defined formats.
- Domain knowledge in at least 2 of the following technologies –Radar, Electro-optics , Command and Control Software, ICT and Networked systems.
- Demonstrable competence in the development and implementation of complex technical solutions, making engineering decisions, managing and mitigating technical risk, and ensuring best practice is shared.
- Demonstrable understanding of product safety with experience in supporting safety reviews and hazard identification and management.
- Demonstrable ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders on complex technical issues.
- Demonstrable competence in identifying non-customer requirements crucial to the design integrity of a solution.
- Familiarity with the concept of design certification, including its importance in managing personal and corporate liability.
- Successful experience with supporting and/or managing equipment installations.
- Experience of in-field and/or remote support for trouble-shooting and repair, thereby, capable of delivering technical advice to off-shore teams.
- Prepared to work short periods ( 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).
For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers. uk. leonardo. com/gb/en/security-and-vetting
Salary
Range: £45,000 - £71,000 Where this vacancy is being recruited across more than one grade, the successful candidate will be appointed to a specific assessed grade, and the applicable salary range will be that associated with the grade of appointment.
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.
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 (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 Linked In 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.
- Primary
- Contract
- Type: Permanent
- Hybrid
Working: Hybrid International, multicultural, innovative, technological: this is Leonardo.
The company’s passionate and talented team is strongly influenced by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) expertise, with a diverse range of experience that enables colleagues to share knowledge and know-how across the generations.
Leonardo always wants to expand its talent pool, here you can find the right opportunity for you!
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Senior/Principal Systems Engineer - CUAS in Basildon employer: Leonardo UK Ltd
Leonardo UK Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Basildon where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will benefit from generous leave, flexible benefits, and opportunities to advance your career while working on cutting-edge defence technologies that make a real impact globally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Principal Systems Engineer - CUAS in Basildon
✨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 Senior/Principal Systems Engineer - CUAS role you’re after at Leonardo UK Ltd.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
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✨Engage with Online Communities
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Principal Systems Engineer - CUAS in Basildon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Senior/Principal Systems Engineer - CUAS, 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 UK Ltd 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 UK Ltd 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 UK Ltd
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Leonardo UK Ltd, 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 UK Ltd 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.
