At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead configuration management strategies for high-integrity systems and services.
- Company: Join Leonardo UK, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values creativity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence and public sector services while driving innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in configuration management and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 53269 - 71400 £ per year.
Salary Range: £53,269 - £71,400. 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
Are you ready to lead and shape configuration management practices that underpin secure, high-integrity systems and services? At Leonardo UK, our Principal Configuration Managers provide expert guidance and leadership to ensure that engineering and business-critical assets are controlled, traceable, and aligned with project, operational, and compliance requirements. You’ll lead cross-functional collaboration, influence policy and process development, and drive continuous improvement across the configuration lifecycle. Your work at Leonardo UK will see you take the lead in solving customer problems in an agile, innovative and team-centric manner. The role may involve a blended hybrid working model, with a mixture of working from home and working on site at one of our Leonardo offices to ensure close collaboration with the wider team and with our customers. Leonardo UK is seeking a Principal Configuration Manager to join the Cyber & Security Solutions Division team. This role is focused on delivering, maintaining, and improving platform and systems engineering solutions that underpin critical defence, government and public sector services.
What you will do as a Principal Configuration Manager
- Lead the definition, implementation, and governance of configuration management strategies across programmes and platforms.
- Own and maintain configuration baselines, ensuring traceability and compliance with internal standards and external regulations.
- Provide expert advice on configuration identification, change control, status accounting, and verification activities.
- Drive continuous improvement in configuration processes, tools, and reporting to support business effectiveness and audit readiness.
- Collaborate with engineering, delivery, and service teams to ensure configuration data supports operational and project needs.
- Represent configuration management in Integrated Project Teams (IPTs), influencing design, delivery, and support decisions.
- Lead or contribute to cross-functional initiatives, including business planning, risk management, and capability development.
- Mentor and develop junior configuration professionals, fostering a culture of quality, governance, and innovation.
What you’ll bring
- Proven experience leading configuration management in complex engineering or service delivery environments, ideally within defence, government, or regulated sectors.
- Deep understanding of configuration management principles, lifecycle integration, and change governance.
- Proficiency in configuration and collaboration tools (e.g. Jira, Confluence, SharePoint, PLM systems).
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret technical data and ensure consistency across systems and documentation.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
- A strategic mindset with the ability to challenge, innovate, and contribute to business planning and policy development.
- Professional credibility and visibility within your domain, with a track record of delivering results and driving improvement.
Core areas (must have):
- Strategic Configuration Leadership: Experience defining and leading configuration strategies across programmes or business units.
- Lifecycle Integration: Expertise in applying configuration management across the full system lifecycle, from design to decommissioning.
- Governance & Compliance: Strong knowledge of standards such as ISO 10007, ITIL, and MOD DEF STANs, with experience supporting audits and regulatory compliance.
- Tooling & Automation: Skilled in using and improving configuration tools and processes to enhance traceability and efficiency.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Ability to influence and align engineering, service, and business teams to ensure configuration integrity.
- Mentoring & Capability Development: Experience developing others and contributing to the maturity of the configuration function.
- Business Acumen: Understanding of how configuration supports broader business objectives, risk management, and operational effectiveness.
Desirable:
- Experience supporting configuration in hybrid environments (e.g. on-premise, cloud, SaaS).
- Experience administrating SharePoint sites.
- Familiarity with Agile, DevOps, and DDaT-aligned delivery environments.
- Knowledge of secure configuration practices and cyber security principles.
- Exposure to enterprise IT services such as Active Directory, Exchange, or PKI.
- Industry certifications (e.g. ITIL Foundation, CM2, ISO 9001, PRINCE2).
- Experience working in secure or defence-related environments.
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).
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.
- Time to Recharge: Generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
- Secure your Future: 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.
- Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
- Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits such as private healthcare, lifestyle discounts, and gym memberships.
- Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options.
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!
Principal Configuration Manager in Bristol employer: Leonardo Worldwide Corporation
At Leonardo UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave, an award-winning pension scheme, and access to extensive learning resources, we empower our employees to thrive in their careers while contributing to critical defence and security solutions. Our commitment to flexibility and inclusivity ensures that every team member can achieve a healthy work-life balance and feel valued as part of our innovative community.
Contact Details:
Leonardo Worldwide Corporation Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Configuration Manager in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their projects and values, especially in configuration management. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs—this will make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your strategic leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills, as these are key for the Principal Configuration Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining us at Leonardo and contributing to our mission in defence and security.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Configuration Manager in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in configuration management. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills—give examples of how you've applied them in previous roles. Whether it's leading a team or improving processes, we want to see your impact!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your achievements shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo Worldwide Corporation
✨Know Your Configuration Management Principles
Before the interview, brush up on your understanding of configuration management principles and lifecycle integration. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, especially in complex engineering or service delivery environments.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your analytical skills by discussing specific examples where you interpreted technical data to ensure consistency across systems. Think about how you can relate this to the role's requirements for compliance and governance.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Practice articulating how you've influenced stakeholders at various levels in previous positions. This is crucial for the Principal Configuration Manager role, so have a few anecdotes ready that highlight your communication and influencing skills.
✨Highlight Continuous Improvement Initiatives
Be prepared to talk about any continuous improvement initiatives you've led or contributed to. Discuss how these efforts enhanced processes, tools, or reporting, and align them with the expectations of driving business effectiveness and audit readiness.
