Solution Architect - Land CEMA in Essex

Leonardo seeks a Solutions Architect with a background in Defence Communications or Cyber & Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) to lead the delivery of our Land CEMA portfolio in the UK. The hybrid role will be based at Southampton, Basildon, or Bristol, and will involve shaping enterprise and system‑level solution designs, ensuring resilient, modular, and scalable solutions for future customer needs.

Responsibilities

• Maintain awareness of all Land CEMA architecture developments and deliver CEMA capabilities across enterprise and system levels.
• Shape technical and commercial strategy by evaluating alternative approaches and balancing bespoke development with Commercial Off the Shelf integration.
• Provide technical input to bids and campaigns, producing architectures, requirements, and cost estimates that drive competitive advantage.
• Engage directly with customers and partners, translating operational needs into clear technical solutions and building trusting long‑term relationships.
• Generate thought leadership through white papers, studies, and stakeholder engagement to influence future defence programmes and market direction.
• Support recruitment and mentoring, building a pipeline of engineering talent and fostering innovation.
• Represent the organisation internationally, strengthening reputation and expanding market presence through B2B collaboration and strategic partnerships.

Qualifications

• A degree (or equivalent experience) in a STEM subject with strong numerical, analytical, and design skills.
• Significant experience developing communications, EW/CEMA and/or other vehicle mission systems‑based architectures, products, and systems across the full lifecycle.
• Experience dealing with customers at a senior commercial and technical level.
• Experience estimating costs and technical risk for each solution approach.
• Full lifecycle experience for product and system development – concept through to disposal.
• Familiarity with open systems architectures such as SOSA, LCA, GVA, OpenVPX, MORA, OpenCPI, VITA.
• Experience with formal user‑requirements capture, traceability, and compliance management methodology and tools.
• Experience with military electronic systems, including interoperability, operational use cases, and customer needs.
• Knowledge of military communications architectures and principles.
• Experience using tools such as Cameo, Rhapsody, System Architect, and MATLAB.
• Experience with military command and control networks in the Land and Maritime context.
• Experience in a consultancy‑type role.
• Proven ability to understand customer business and technical needs, translate them into technical solutions, and communicate clearly to all stakeholders.
• Excellent problem‑solving, innovation, and strategic thinking skills.
• Strong motivational and communication abilities, with experience influencing others in multi‑organisational teams.
• Proactive, self‑starter, and comfortable working with ambiguous or ill‑defined requirements.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Additional National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, including eligibility for Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Salary

£67,000 to £97,500 per annum, aligned to Leonardo UK grade‑based salary framework.

Location & Working Arrangements

Primary location: Basildon (UK). Additional locations: Bristol—Coldharbour Lane, Southampton. Contract type: Permanent. Working pattern: Hybrid (office and remote).