At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic software engineering team to deliver innovative projects on time and within budget.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a cutting-edge tech company in the defence industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing business area with exciting challenges.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering or equivalent experience; strong leadership in software development required.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 82000 £ per year.
Salary Range - £75,000 - £82,000
Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.
Your Impact
Due to growth within the Precision Guidance business area we have a requirement for an additional Project Engineering Manager to deliver our modelling and software activities across a number of key programmes. Reporting to the Head of Engineering Projects, you will hold personal responsibility for the leadership of software development, from Requirements through to Acceptance. You will work with stakeholders to define software delivery methods ranging from model-driven code generation through to hand-coding. Project Engineering Managers build strong relationships with Engineering Functional Leads and/or external partners to ensure the resourcing plans within the team they lead are realistic and any issues arising are resolved swiftly.
The role requires a candidate who is self‑motivated and enthusiastic, with strong leadership and behavioural skills. The ability to foster and develop effective working relationships is key to ensure engineers perform to the levels required of the project. A strong commercial and business awareness is also essential to ensure that the engineering effort is managed effectively for each given project, delighting the customer and ensuring project success.
Key Responsibility Areas
- The management of a dynamic Software engineering team.
- Working closely with the Projects to deliver their software to time, cost and performance budgets.
- The generation of clear and relevant engineering plans, establishing key milestones and identifying risks, opportunities and interdependencies.
- Reviewing the current engineering positions on projects, and adapting plans as required to mitigate risks to either cost, schedule or performance budgets.
- The preparation and communication of monthly engineering status reports.
- The coordination of engineering input into bids as part of the business winning process.
- Line management of a team of Software Engineers and System Modellers.
What you’ll Bring
- Educated to a degree level in an engineering‑related subject – or equivalent experience (essential).
- Significant previous experience of leading Software engineering teams, including the effective use of Jira in an agile development environment (essential).
- Strong understanding and proven track record of the software engineering lifecycle and processes on technically complex development projects (essential).
- Experience with The Mathworks toolset, including code generation (desirable).
- Experience of working within the defence industry (desirable).
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).
Benefits
- Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi‑days each year.
- Benefit from our award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
- 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).
- All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
- Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
- Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
- 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.
Location & Contract Type
Primary Location: GB – Basildon
Contract Type: Permanent
Hybrid Working: Hybrid
Project Engineering Manager employer: Leonardo UK Ltd
Leonardo UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Basildon where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we provide generous leave, an award-winning pension scheme, and access to extensive professional development resources, including over 4,000 online courses. Our inclusive culture fosters personal growth and teamwork, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the defence industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Engineering Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work at Leonardo or similar companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to project management and software engineering. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience with tools like Jira and The Mathworks during interviews. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you led software teams and how you tackled challenges. This will demonstrate your hands-on expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Engineering Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Project Engineering Manager role. Highlight your experience in leading software engineering teams and any relevant projects you've managed. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your leadership style and how you build relationships with your team.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role involves software development, be sure to highlight your technical skills, especially your experience with Jira and the software engineering lifecycle. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their technical prowess!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo UK Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the software engineering lifecycle and processes. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences leading software teams, especially in an agile environment using tools like Jira. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical insights to share.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership abilities. Think about times when you successfully managed a team or resolved conflicts. Being able to demonstrate how you foster effective working relationships will be key, so have those stories ready to go!
✨Understand the Business Side
Since this role requires strong commercial awareness, do your homework on the company and its projects. Be prepared to discuss how you can manage engineering efforts effectively to delight customers and ensure project success. This shows you’re not just a techie but also understand the bigger picture.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, project expectations, and how success is measured in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
