Reliability and Maintainability Principal Engineer

Overview

Job Description:

We are looking for a skilled Reliability & Maintainability (R&M) Principal Engineer to help us drive continuous improvement in platform performance. Joining the Reliability and Maintainability Department, you will utilise your specialist R&M knowledge to deliver support to design engineering and logistics modelling, and prepare contracted deliverable outputs for a range of helicopter programmes across the lifecycle. You will deliver design and logistic support, and prepare contracted deliverable outputs for a range of programmes within the R&M department.

You will be based at Leonardo’s site in Yeovil, the Home of British Helicopters, which has been an aerospace hub for more than 100 years. Yeovil is set close to the countryside, within a 40-minute drive of the Jurassic coast and has rail links which can get you to Bristol and Bath in under an hour and a half.

For awareness of internal applicants: This is a JFF level 6 role.

Responsibilities

• Influence design through Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Testability analysis
• Model product reliability and generating Functional Block Diagrams
• Creating and maintaining Failure Modes Effects Analysis (FMEA/FMECA)
• Advise on and develop Reliability Growth Tests and Finite Element Analyses
• Create Reliability Centre Maintenance document including Scheduled Maintenance Analysis
• Support Engineering Design review by providing maintainability analysis
• Monitor the budget and assess scope for new work as requirements are submitted to the department
• Responsible for budget and schedule reporting to the ILS team for projects that has been assigned to

What you’ll bring

• The ability to make sound technical assessments/judgements based on knowledge and experience, self-motivated and able to work as part of an integrated team.
• Industry Knowledge: Experience in a defence-related aerospace environment is advantageous but not mandatory.
• Analytical Expertise: Strong background in Industry standard MSG-3 Reliability and Maintainability analysis is preferred
• Education: Degree-qualified in a relevant engineering discipline and/or formally trained or familiar Key Standards e.g. Mil-Std-1629A, MSG-3, MoD Def-Stan-004
• Computing skills including MS Word and Excel are essential and experience of MS Access would be beneficial
• To contribute to the continuous improvement and development of the Product Support Engineering data centre of excellence

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: 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 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 (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 – Yeovil – Lysander Rd

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid