Future Combat Air (FCA) Airworthiness Cyber Security Lead

Your Impact

Are you an experienced Airworthiness Cyber Security expert looking to apply your expertise within a high‑performing team supporting the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)? Our Design Integrity function is seeking a Future Combat Air (FCA) Airworthiness Cyber Security Lead to help deliver a next‑generation, air‑dominance combat air system. Reporting to the GCAP Chief Airworthiness Engineer, you will represent Leonardo as an Airworthiness Cyber Security subject matter expert across GCAP forums. Note that this role is working on a hybrid basis and can be based out of any of our following sites: Luton, Bristol, Southampton, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Lincoln, or Basildon, and occasional working out of the Consortium Office in Reading.

Your Responsibilities

• Maintain a current knowledge of the UK Military and European Defence Agency EMAR Part 21 Regulatory Environment and develop an understanding of the GCAP partner nation's Regulatory Environments.
• Participate with the GCAP Chief Airworthiness Engineer alongside our international partners within the Domain Engineering and Technical Office (DETO) in the running of the Office of Airworthiness and Qualification.
• Work with the Design Integrity Chief Engineers; and with the Safety and Airworthiness Security leads in each Leonardo Line of Business to ensure a consistent approach is taken.
• Contribute within appropriate Company and G2E Domain working groups to monitor proposed changes to the Regulatory Environment, assess their impact and advise as to appropriate response.
• Working alongside GCAP Edgewing and G2E partners to develop an understanding of and development of a single tri‑national approach towards delivery of airworthy systems to support the GCAP.
• Provide input and advice to GCAP product development teams, operating as an airworthiness cyber security consultant to ensure the Regulatory requirements are understood and met, products are suitable for manufacturing, tolerably safe, secure, fit for purpose and reliable in their intended environment.
• Identify the requirement, develop and where required deliver training courses and speak with confidence on Regulatory matters, Governance and Certification.
• Review Integrated Project Team Safety Management Plans to ensure they comply with company policy, considering the design governance and certification activities.
• Assist other GCAP Enablers WP Product Owners (PO) with the identification and delivery of product airworthiness cyber security related Enablers including but not limited to People, Process, Tools, Technology and Infrastructure and Data.

What You’ll Bring

• Proven experience conducting cyber security assessments using defence and industry‑standard guidelines e.g. Airworthiness Cyber Security standards including ED-202A/DO-326A, ED-203A/DO-356A, ED-204A/DO-355A and ED-206A/DO-392.
• A background in aerospace engineering specialising in airworthiness cyber security, with an associated master’s level qualification.
• Proven hands‑on experience working with UK Military Aviation Authority or civil equivalents (EASA, CAA, etc) in the airworthiness certification of air systems.
• Hands on experience with airworthiness certification processes, including Type Certification, and major/minor change approvals.
• Good working knowledge of airworthiness regulations e.g. UK MAA MRP, EASA CS‑25, Def Stan 00‑970, EDA EMAR Part 21, MIL‑HDBK‑516, etc.
• Understanding of software and complex electronic hardware certification (DO‑178C, DO‑254, DO‑297) and an awareness of airworthiness safety assessment standard e.g. ARP4754B, ARP4761A, Def Stan 00‑56, Def Stan 00‑55, and associated methodologies e.g. FHA, PSSA, SSA, FMEA, FTA, etc.
• Experience supporting design reviews, audits, and regulatory compliance meetings.
• Experience interpreting system architectures, interface control documents, and safety critical design artefacts.
• Excellent technical writing and reviewing skills for safety reports, compliance documentation, and certification submissions.

Nice to have

• Prior consulting experience delivering certification or cyber security services to multiple clients.
• Working within multi‑national teams.
• Ability to lead multi‑disciplinary cyber security reviews or certification workstreams.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers or contributing to capability development.
• Experience of utilising cyber security analysis and modelling tools.

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).

Why join us

• 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 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.