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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct innovative research to shape the future of defence technology.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: STEM PhD and experience in research or collaboration required.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse workplace that values creativity and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Your Impact
Are you a researcher in industry or academia looking to advance your career and work on technology that will shape the future of defence? If you have a STEM PhD and five years UK residency, we are looking for talented Scientists and Engineers with experience in research and collaboration to join us at Leonardo in Luton in a predominantly office and laboratory-based role. We are not expecting you to have domain knowledge of electronic warfare systems, or significant experience in engineering. What we are looking for are scientists and engineers looking to build their technical knowledge through training, team working, and one-to-one mentoring.
What you'll do as a Research Scientist
- Applied research: Early research looking into exploiting new technologies or concepts
- High-level design: Understanding the impact of design decisions on performance
- Low-level design: Detailed design, prototyping and optimisation of a particular solution using expertise within their technical domain
We need talented scientists and engineers to take early concepts from a variety of sources and turn them into working solutions. You do not need a background in engineering to make a difference. Our System Engineers predominantly come from science backgrounds. Many of these people at Leonardo have PhDs/EngDs from a diverse range of research domains across STEM. We will support you in your technical and professional development whatever your background, and provide challenging technical work to allow you to excel. Our working environment is fast-paced but relaxed. We value the expertise of our engineers and work to ensure they have the autonomy and confidence to make decisions themselves or as a team. We put trust in all our engineers to ensure they remain in control of their work and future career prospects.
Examples of Work
- Contribute or lead an early concept study investigating whether new types of algorithm could improve the detection of threats at range
- Support the development and implementation of data fusion across multiple sensor types
- Develop simulators used in supporting test and validation of processing solutions
What you'll bring
- A PhD, EngD or other relevant research experience within a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subject
- Experience of theoretical or applied research in an academic or business environment
- Experience of collaborating with others either within your research group or wider afield
- A drive for continuously improvement of your own skills and knowledge
- A methodical approach to solving large complex problems
- Experience in planning, leading and overseeing technical research or development tasks
- An appreciation of the Systems Engineering process
- Coding is central to our day to day work. You should have some experience of using a programming language to solve problems or develop models. Experience using Matlab and Simulink would be an advantage
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), along with an additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV), including meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). Due to the nature of the work and its connections to UK Defence strategy, applicants must have five years UK Residency and hold a UK Passport.
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!
Research Scientist in Caddington employer: Leonardo UK Ltd
Contact Detail:
Leonardo UK Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Scientist in Caddington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry or academia, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. Attend relevant events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues or mentors who might help you land that Research Scientist role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your research projects and any coding experience you have. This will give you an edge during interviews and show that you're ready to dive into applied research right away.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to get comfortable discussing your research and how it relates to the role at Leonardo. Focus on articulating your problem-solving approach and your willingness to learn new technologies.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining us at Leonardo and contributing to our innovative projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Scientist in Caddington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Research Scientist role. Highlight your STEM PhD, research experience, and any collaborative projects you've been involved in. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t forget to mention your willingness to learn and grow with us at Leonardo.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex problems in your research. We love seeing a methodical approach, so share specific instances where your analytical skills made a difference!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward, and you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company culture there. Let’s get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo UK Ltd
✨Know Your Research
Before the interview, brush up on your research background and be ready to discuss your PhD or EngD work. Highlight any relevant projects that showcase your ability to tackle complex problems, as this will demonstrate your capability to contribute to applied research at Leonardo.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
Leonardo values teamwork, so be prepared to share examples of how you've collaborated with others in your research. Discuss any interdisciplinary projects or partnerships that illustrate your ability to work well with diverse teams, as this is crucial for success in their environment.
✨Emphasise Your Willingness to Learn
Since they’re looking for candidates eager to build their technical knowledge, express your enthusiasm for continuous improvement. Share specific instances where you sought out new skills or training, especially in coding or systems engineering, to show you're proactive about your professional development.
✨Understand the Role's Impact
Familiarise yourself with the role of a Research Scientist in the context of defence technology. Be ready to discuss how your skills can help turn early concepts into working solutions, and think about how you can contribute to projects like data fusion or algorithm development.
