Job Description: Your impact
Are you ready to make an impact and gain hands‑on experience working on real‑world projects from day one? At Leonardo, we’re looking for industrial placement students who want to be part of something extraordinary—shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety. Our placements are designed to help you apply your studies in a practical setting, develop your technical skills, and gain valuable insight into how our business operates. Our Industrial Placement Programme offers you the chance to spend a year with us, working on meaningful projects alongside subject matter experts, within multidisciplinary teams, and across the product lifecycle. You’ll receive a salary of £26,228, with coaching and support from a dedicated team to help you achieve both your placement objectives and personal development goals. Successful completion of an Industrial Placement with Leonardo may also lead to an offer on our Graduate Development Programme. During your placement, we encourage you to spend at least three days each week on site to integrate with your team and maximise your learning experience. This Opportunity is based in Luton.
What You’ll Do
As an Industrial Placement Antenna Engineer, you’ll join a team delivering world‑leading Electronic Warfare capabilities that protect fast jets, UAVs, naval vessels and land platforms operating in some of the world’s most demanding environments. As part of our Antenna Engineering team, you’ll support the development of high‑performance antenna systems used within advanced Electronic Warfare solutions.
- Supporting the design and development of innovative antenna solutions for a range of defence platforms
- Using electromagnetic (EM) simulation tools to model and analyse antenna performance
- Supporting the development of antenna technologies operating at frequencies up to 40GHz and beyond
- Conducting laboratory testing, measurement and validation using specialist RF equipment and anechoic chamber facilities
- Analysing technical data and presenting findings to engineering teams and stakeholders
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to integrate antenna solutions into larger systems
- Contributing to technical documentation, design reviews and customer deliverables
Your Industrial Placement Project
Approximately 50% of your placement will be dedicated to a cohort‑led Industrial Placement project. Working alongside other placement students from different engineering disciplines, you’ll define, manage and deliver a substantial project from concept through to final presentation. This experience will help you develop project management, leadership, teamwork and stakeholder engagement skills alongside your technical development.
What We’re Looking For
You should be studying towards a degree in:
- Electronic Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Physics or Applied Physics
- Engineering Physics
- Mathematics or Applied Mathematics
- Communications Engineering
- Space Engineering
- Robotics Engineering
- Computer Communication and Networks
- Cyber Security or related STEM disciplines
We’d also like to see:
- An interest in electromagnetics, RF systems, antenna design or communication systems
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- A willingness to learn and take ownership of challenging tasks
The Placement Experience
You’ll benefit from:
- Hands‑on experience on real engineering projects
- Mentoring from experienced engineers
- Technical and professional skills development
- A dedicated Industrial Placement cohort project
- Exposure to multiple engineering disciplines and technologies
- Opportunities to build your professional network across Leonardo
Security Clearance Many of our roles are subject to security and export control restrictions set by UK Government. As a result, and in line with the UK Government Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) requirements, all successful applicants will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record declaration information and employment and/or education history verification for the previous five years. For staff operating in more sensitive posts, there is an additional range of personnel security controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV). As part of this process, a range of factors may be considered, including an individual’s background, travel history, nationality, previous nationalities held and other information relevant to the vetting assessment. To be eligible for National Security Vetting at SC level, applicants will generally be expected to have continuously resided in the UK for the previous five years. For DV clearance, this is typically ten years. In some circumstances, time spent overseas may be accepted, with additional overseas checks. Additional vetting requirements may apply upon appointment. For more information and guidance please visit.
Why join us
At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do, our teams are key contributors in shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety. 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.
- Tailored perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
For a full list of our company benefits please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/company-benefits
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, communities and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.
Primary Location: GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300
Contract Type: Fixed term
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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Industrial Placement Antenna Engineer in Luton employer: Leonardo UK Ltd
Leonardo UK Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration among multidisciplinary teams. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, you will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects in aerospace while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements. The company values data integrity and encourages a high level of abstraction in software design, making it a rewarding environment for those passionate about digital engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Industrial Placement Antenna Engineer in Luton
✨Get Hands-On Experience
Look for opportunities to volunteer or intern at local manufacturing firms. This not only boosts your CV but also gives you a chance to network with industry insiders who can point you towards placements like the one at Leonardo UK Ltd.
✨Attend Industry Events
Check out local manufacturing trade shows or exhibitions. These events are goldmines for networking and can help you chat with recruiters face-to-face, potentially getting you a leg up on placements.
✨Leverage University Resources
Your university's career services can be a fantastic resource. They often have exclusive connections with companies in the manufacturing sector, like Leonardo UK Ltd, and can help you prepare for interviews and placements.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Make sure to have your CV and portfolio ready to show what you've got. If you’ve worked on any projects related to manufacturing or production, highlight those when you apply. And remember, you can apply directly through our website for roles like the Industrial Placement Antenna Engineer at Leonardo UK Ltd!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production world, it's essential to highlight any technical skills you have. If you've got experience with specific machinery or tools, or if you know how to read technical drawings, make sure these are front and centre in your CV. Employers like Leonardo UK Ltd want to see exactly what you're capable of!
Highlight Teamwork and Communication:Production environments are all about working well in a team, so be sure to reference any group projects or collaborative experiences in your application. Whether it's in the classroom or during previous work, showcasing your ability to communicate effectively will make you stand out to Leonardo UK Ltd. You might even want to include specific examples of how you solved problems as a team.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Showcase Your Learning Potential:Since this is a placement, make sure your cover letter reflects your eagerness to learn and grow. Talk about how this opportunity at Leonardo UK Ltd fits into your career goals and what you hope to gain from the experience. Being genuinely enthusiastic will go a long way!
Include Any Relevant Certifications or Courses:If you have any certifications or have taken any courses related to manufacturing or production methods, make sure to mention them. These little badges can give you an edge over other candidates. Attach copies of your certificates if you can; it shows you're serious about the industry and ready to hit the ground running at Leonardo UK Ltd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo UK Ltd
✨Get Hands-On with the Tools
In manufacturing and production, familiarity with tools and machinery is key. Brush up on any specific equipment you might encounter at Leonardo UK Ltd. If the job involves specific software, like CAD programs, make sure you can show your basic proficiency – maybe even look at doing a quick online refresher course if you feel a bit rusty!
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Employers in this field love a good problem-solving mindset. Prepare to share examples from previous experiences, maybe from school projects or past jobs, where you identified a manufacturing issue and how you tackled it. It’s all about showing how you can think on your feet!
✨Emphasise Your Teamwork Spirit
Production is all about working as part of a team. Be ready to chat about how you’ve worked collaboratively in the past. Whether it was group projects in school or team sports, highlighting your ability to communicate and cooperate will resonate well with your interviewers at Leonardo UK Ltd.
✨Prepare for Practical Assessments
Since this is a placement, there might be practical assessments or hands-on tasks to evaluate your skills. Don’t stress! Just remember to stay calm and systematic during any practical tests—it's all about demonstrating your capability to follow protocols and safety measures.