Senior Technical Specialist

Salary: £75,000 - £97,515

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.

The role of Test Equipment Design Authority is responsible for the assurance and compliance of test systems used at second line support to diagnose faults and return to service fast‑jet radar systems. You will work closely with various Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) to ensure that the equipment is safe, secure, legally compliant and configured, fully certified and continually evolving to meet the needs of the customer and Leonardo UK stakeholders. This role would be suited to a Test Engineer familiar with working on complex electronic (ideally Optical, RF, Digital and analogue based) Test Solutions. The Design Authority (DA) will have had hands‑on experience of designing complex Test Solutions over the full life cycle.

Core responsibilities include:

• Understanding the technical elements of the Test Equipment implementation across an international multi‑partner team.
• Full documentation and recording of work products, keeping them under configuration management, and providing plans and progress reports.
• Working within a multi‑disciplined team of engineers to resolve technical issues.
• Supporting IPTs, attending project update meetings and communicating and working within those teams with good interpersonal skills.
• Producing reports where necessary and working to Leonardo test and design policies and procedures.
• Applying Product Life Cycle (PLC) management by identifying requirements from users, developing a coherent set of functional and non‑functional requirements and directing their route to compliance.
• Providing detailed knowledge of test and integration over a range of electronic products.
• Guiding and directing the various sectors within Leonardo to identify, mitigate or resolve technical issues within projects.
• Conducting regular reviews of test equipment to ensure sustained compliance, including assessing the impact of proposed changes.
• Facilitating continuous improvement by identifying opportunities for value‑adding investment.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role we are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate some or all of the following:

• Familiarisation with Defence related technological solutions, ideally experience/knowledge of airborne radar technology.
• Experience/knowledge of Requirements definition and management (DOORS experience would be beneficial).
• Experience in full life cycle management in test solutions.
• Experience of participating in design reviews, system design and implementation.
• Requirement verification and compliance.
• Basic knowledge of legislation and standards that apply within the industrial workspace (e.g. Electrical, Chemical, Electromagnetic Compatibility).
• Working knowledge of safety analysis, hazard identification and mitigation.
• Basic knowledge of product security, legislative requirements, risk identification and mitigation, including applicability to international delivery locations.
• Interfacing with subcontractors.
• Experience of export compliance.

An additional range of Personnel Security Controls may apply, including eligibility for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).

Benefits

• 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 promoting 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 and lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part‑time opportunities, please discuss possible arrangements for this role.

Location and Working Arrangements

Primary Location: GB - Edinburgh

Additional Locations: GB - Newcastle

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid – International, multicultural, innovative, technological.

Company Overview

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. We are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know. Be part of something bigger – apply now!