Systems Engineer - Algorithm Development & Image Processing

Salary Range:
Senior Systems Engineer £44,500 to £56,000
Principal Systems Engineer £53,500 to £68,000

Where this vacancy is being recruited across more than one grade, the successful candidate will be appointed to a specific assessed grade, and the applicable salary range will be that associated with the grade of appointment. 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
Leonardo is seeking to recruit systems engineers to join its Electronics UK business. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering leading edge solutions to challenging projects. Advanced targeting covers all of the Electro-Optic (EO) and Infrared (IR) projects being developed in Edinburgh, spanning lasers, imaging systems, detection and tracking, control systems, and navigation. The whole of the engineering lifecycle is covered, from early concept systems, to products reaching their end of service. Systems engineers are involved in every part of the lifecycle, and play a crucial role, ensuring the system as a whole performs above expectations.

The focus of this systems engineering role is to support EO and IR projects within the Advanced Targeting business sector, applying problem solving techniques and fundamental EO/IR engineering and physics-based knowledge, to build advanced products for the military. We are looking for someone passionate about our products, with a systems-thinking approach and experience of EO/IR systems and technologies. You will thrive in dynamic environments with the support of a diverse immediate and wider team.

You will support the development, refinement, and assessment of algorithms underpinning all processing needs within EO/IR systems. Working with domain specialists, you will contribute to modelling, simulation, and performance evaluation activities, ensuring that algorithmic solutions meet demanding operational and environmental requirements. Your analytical capability will help drive improvements in system accuracy, robustness, and responsiveness. Given the nature of the work at this level we can offer custom working, however some on-site working is expected.

What you’ll do

• Contribute to the requirement capture and management, definition, development, modelling, manufacture, test and verification of advanced EO/IR technologies and systems
• Mentor early-career engineers in your immediate team, or across the business
• Adopt, adhere to, and contribute to the improvement of defined engineering processes governing systems engineering across the full lifecycle
• Working with other functions within Integrated Project Teams and across the sector in the definition and execution of algorithm development and deployment with EO/IR equipment
• Collaborate with your peers in similar roles across the UK to promote a culture of continual learning and improvement, acting as a change agent for systems engineering

What you'll bring

People with experience supporting the application of systems engineering applied to products in an EO/IR environment. You should have a degree level qualification (or equivalent) in systems engineering, physics, or a related technical discipline. Due to the nature of the tasks involved, you must be able to satisfy the necessary security clearance for the role and meet a minimum of 5 years permanent residency in the UK.

We are looking for the following technical skills, in order of decreasing priority:

• Strong numerical, analytic and problem-solving skills supporting “systems thinking”
• Experience of systems engineering methods, tools and processes supporting algorithm development, particularly with image processing using the MathWorks toolset.
• Relevant experience with EO/IR systems and technologies
• Familiarity with the engineering lifecycle

In addition, the following attributes would be highly desirable:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, proven ability to build trust and respect at different levels
• Tenacity and determination, with a desire to deliver outputs and results
• Experience in collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders

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!