Lead Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

Your Impact

Do you want to be a key member of the Team developing the next generation of Missile Seeker Products?

As a Lead Mechanical Engineer within our Integrated Sensing and Protection function, you will be responsible for the technical delivery of mechanical solutions across several programmes within the Precision Guidance domain: ranging from low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) research tasks through to in-service systems being delivered to our partners in the UK and beyond.

Based at our Basildon site, working on a hybrid basis. The role offers the opportunity for ad hoc UK and overseas travel where you will engage with Customers, End-Users and sub-contractors.

Your Duties will include

• Support the Project Team in the delivery of technical solutions on critical Business programmes, ensuring Mechanical Engineering excellence.
• Compliance of Mechanical Engineering solutions through the entire Engineering Lifecycle, ensuring that the solutions consider all requirements including product quality, safety, reliability, testability, sustainability, etc.
• Inception, research and development of mechanical solutions and techniques that enable the team to advance the state of the art for Missile Seekers. This might range from new product capabilities through to manufacturing techniques that allow operation in more extreme environments or allow a step-change reduction in unit cost.
• Mechanical Engineering detailed design; including numerical calculations, tolerance studies, etc.
• Produce Manufacturing Data Packs in line with BS8888, including appropriate use of GD&T.
• Support successful resolution of technical problem investigations.
• Contribute to reviews of mechanical designs in accordance with business and industry standards.
• Hands on involvement in practical implementation of development builds and Design of Experiments.
• Provide support during the introduction of new product into the Development/Production lifecycle phase.
• Actively manage work package delivery elements to achieve desired quality, schedule and cost.
• Mentor less experienced peers with the Mechanical Engineering team.

What you’ll bring

• A minimum of an upper second-class degree in Mechanical Engineering (or similar), or equivalent experience in the field of Defence, Airborne or naval environments.
• Mechanical engineering for electronic and/or EO products.
• Experience in the design of systems for ‘harsh environments’ i.e. Shock, Vibration, Temperature, EMC, Salt fog, etc.
• Expertise of Mechanical design and Product development using 3D CAD tools (ideally PTC Creo).
• An understanding Structural and Thermal Analyses data, to inform design decisions.
• Experience in various aspects of DfX, including Manufacturing, Assembly, Test, Integration and Sustainability.

It would be nice if you had

• MEng in Mechanical Engineering (or similar).
• Experience within the IR spectrum for EO Systems.
• Demonstrable knowledge of airborne Products.
• Experience in Model Based Design methods and tools (i.e. Mathworks)
• The capability of producing ‘first pass’ (structural and thermal) analyses to determine if a design is fit-for-purpose i.e. using PTC Simulate, flow or similar.
• Awareness of Mechanical Engineering industry trends – knowledge of new and advancing tools, techniques and technologies.

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). 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

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, 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 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 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!

Primary Location

GB – Basildon

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid