Antenna Architecture Lead

Salary: 60,000 - 84,995

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:

Would you like to be responsible for developing the antenna architecture for Leonardo’s future radar systems?

Leonardo is a global leader in defence electronics and delivers mission critical systems for situational awareness, electronic warfare and surveillance across land, sea and air. The Radar and Advanced Targeting line of business, based in Edinburgh, is uniquely positioned as one of the world’s top manufacturers of radars, lasers and infrared countermeasure systems.

What you’ll bring:

We are looking for an experienced Electronics Engineer to take on a new architecture-design role. The role carries significant tactical responsibility for shaping the future of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna systems through the development and assessment of new antenna architecture concepts. This includes evaluating emerging technologies, with particular consideration given to expanding digital capability, and identifying key technology drivers to enable scalable antenna product lines. A strong focus is placed on enabling design reuse and commonality, fostering supplier engagement, and establishing strategic partnerships to support all AESA development programmes.

The successful candidate will adopt a product design approach to minimise both non-recurring and recurring engineering costs, while proactively identifying opportunities to reuse existing core technologies.

They will support all key design review stages and work closely with radar-level Systems teams and LRI/(s)SRI leads to ensure system compatibility, including effective issue tracking and resolution.

Collaboration is central to the role, with day-to-day interaction involving internal customers and a multidisciplinary engineering team. There may also be occasional engagement with external customers, particularly during early development and verification and validation (V&V) phases.

The individual will also assist the AESA CDT Chief Engineer in tracking and reporting antenna LRI key performance parameters, and in establishing and maintaining a comprehensive hierarchy of antenna LRI-level documentation and models. This includes requirements (with reuse potential for future AESA developments), key implementation decisions, and verification and validation evidence such as electromagnetic performance models, RF and power chain models, control and timing behavioural models, and a range of interface control documents (mechanical, physical hardware, and functional protocols).

Additional responsibilities include maintaining built-in test (BIT) control definitions, validation and verification plans, and test and compliance evidence.

The role requires a degree in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline (or equivalent experience), along with strong expertise in LRI hardware digital architecture design across all aspects of radar system RF signal generation and acquisition.

An enthusiastic and experimental mindset is essential, with a willingness to engage in rapid prototyping and iterative development using “fail fast, learn fast” methodologies.

Beyond technical delivery, the role includes developing team capability through coaching and mentoring engineers and supporting the Systems Team Lead in delivering the overall antenna system technical solution.

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:

• 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 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 - Edinburgh

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid