Lead Systems Engineer

Lead Systems Engineer

Full-Time 59500 - 75000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Leonardo Worldwide Corporation

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to evaluate and enhance radar systems for defence applications.
  • Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.
  • Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on cutting-edge technology that enhances global safety.
  • Qualifications: Experience in radar systems design and strong communication skills required.

The predicted salary is between 59500 - 75000 £ per year.

Salary: £59,500 to £75,000

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

At Leonardo, we solve real-world engineering challenges, designing and developing mission-critical solutions that power some of the world’s most advanced defence and security systems. Your work will contribute to the Typhoon radar programme which includes the largest single programme being delivered from the Edinburgh site. Next generation ESCAN radars are now in full scale production and being delivered to our customer on the front-line, where we strive to provide key functionality and capability to meet the customer operational requirements.

We are recruiting for a Lead Systems Engineer to lead the operational evaluation for the Typhoon ECRS Mk0 (ESCAN) radar against the operational Fitness for Purpose (FFP) criteria. FFP is a non-contractual framework that has been agreed between Euroradar and our purchaser, BAESYSTEMS, to aid the prioritisation of System Problem Reports (SysPRs) with the aim of reaching an acceptable level of product maturity against agreed operationally relevant criteria.

The Lead Systems Engineer will lead a team responsible for:

  • Product gap analysis against operationally relevant scenarios
  • Problem Report identification and sentencing
  • Problem Report prioritisation
  • Identifying when maturity goals are met
  • Supporting compliance statements against the Specification
  • Co-ordinate the agile ‘on-train’ maturity assessment activities through the Product Manager and technical leadership team, which will be delivered by those SMEs
  • Planning and presentation of maturity point reviews with key internal and external stakeholders
  • Identifying clear gaps in product maturity and support the sentencing of SySPRs

As Lead Systems Engineer, you will work within the Typhoon delivery sector, leading and co-ordinating the Leonardo UK Systems Engineering activity for evaluating the Mk0 radar product maturity for the Entry-Into-Service product. There are two software development releases planned to deliver an operationally capable radar that meets the specification. The candidate will need to be highly motivated and able to define and lead activities for producing maturity metrics and analysis tools to present product maturity to the Chief Engineer and Technical Director to ensure that we focus on the correct changes to meet FFP and compliance objectives. This role presents an opportunity to be at the heart of the success of the Typhoon ECRS Mk0 Radar System, achieving customer satisfaction with this product. This role is pivotal to the reputation and the future business winning success for Leonardo.

In the role you will report to the Leonardo UK Chief Systems Engineer.

Key Skills:

  • Experience of Radar Systems Design and/or Qualification at a Lead Engineer level
  • Familiarity with the principles of Pulsed Doppler radar waveform design and signal processing implementation
  • Familiarity with the principles of Radar tracking and trade-offs against supporting detection schemes
  • Experience of certification to recognised standards including experience in Integration, Test, Evaluation and Acceptance (ITEA)
  • Experience of data analysis from radar flight trials
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to obtain SC security clearance and work within UKEO and US ITAR TAA restrictions
  • Experience of working with a variety of internal and external stakeholders of varying seniorities, with a demonstrable ability to make, and help teams make, timely decisions

What else would help:

  • A 2:1 or higher in a relevant engineering or science-based honours degree
  • Chartered Engineer status is desirable
  • Experience of the application of the regulatory environment for airborne products, e.g. MAA, EASA
  • Experience of delivering training and awareness courses
  • Experience with any of the following tools: Matlab, Simulink, Siemens Teamcenter, IBM DOORS

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. 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.
  • 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!

Lead Systems Engineer employer: Leonardo Worldwide Corporation

Leonardo UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Edinburgh where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we provide a comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave, an award-winning pension scheme, and access to extensive learning resources. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every team member can contribute meaningfully to cutting-edge projects, making a real impact in the defence and security sectors.

Leonardo Worldwide Corporation

Contact Details:

Leonardo Worldwide Corporation Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Systems Engineer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Leonardo through LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the Typhoon radar programme. Understand its challenges and successes. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to the team.

Tip Number 3

Practice your STAR technique for answering behavioural questions. Think of specific examples from your past that highlight your skills in systems engineering and teamwork. We want to see how you tackle real-world problems!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Leonardo family.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Systems Engineer

Radar Systems Design
Pulsed Doppler Radar Waveform Design
Signal Processing Implementation
Radar Tracking Principles
Integration, Test, Evaluation and Acceptance (ITEA)
Data Analysis from Radar Flight Trials
Excellent Written Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Systems Engineer role. Highlight your experience with radar systems and any relevant projects you've worked on. 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. We love seeing enthusiasm and a personal touch.

Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since excellent written communication is key for this role, ensure your application is clear and concise. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read and understand.

Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you can find all the details about the role and our company there.

How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo Worldwide Corporation

Know Your Radar Systems

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of radar systems design and qualification. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Pulsed Doppler radar waveform design and signal processing, as well as any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the concepts but can also apply them in real-world scenarios.

Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills

Since the role involves identifying and prioritising problem reports, think of specific examples where you've successfully tackled engineering challenges. Prepare to explain your thought process and how you reached your conclusions. This will highlight your analytical skills and ability to lead a team through complex issues.

Communicate Effectively

Excellent communication is key for this position, especially when working with various stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to prepare a few questions to ask during the interview to demonstrate your engagement and interest in the role.

Familiarise Yourself with Compliance Standards

Understanding the regulatory environment for airborne products is crucial. Brush up on your knowledge of standards like MAA and EASA, and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles. This will show that you’re not only technically proficient but also aware of the compliance landscape in which you’ll be operating.