At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead systems engineering for life-saving military projects and ensure technical excellence.
- 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 team that values diversity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in STEM and strong problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
hackajob is collaborating with Leonardo to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.
Your impact
Leonardo has an exciting opportunity for a Lead Systems Engineer/Design Authority to join our Crenic project team, delivering life-saving protection for the UK military within our Land Cyber & Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) sector across the south of the UK. As Lead Systems Engineer and Design Authority, you will be responsible for providing the technical oversight and expertise at all levels of the overall system solution, working with both internal and supplier design teams to ensure that the architecture of the overall system solution is developed and delivered to meet the Customer, User and business requirements.
Working across the whole of the engineering lifecycle, as part of a multi-disciplined team, the successful candidate will seek advice from SMEs to review and advise on the creation and verification of subsystem technical solutions lead the directly supporting the System Design Authority (SDA) in ensuring the system and sub system designs are:
- fit for purpose and due consideration has been made for the integrity of the design
- compliant with customer requirements and required standard safety of the overall proposed architecture is maintained and assessed
As a result, strong technical, delivery, and people leadership skills and abilities are essential in this role, particularly the ability to discuss and resolve complex technical problems. Work closely with the SDA to identify and resolve technical issues across the whole system and subsystems and to ensure the integrity of the solution. Deputise for the SDA within the project. Lead the architecture team to develop and document the architecture throughout the project lifecycle. Influence all levels of requirements to enable design and development decisions and trade-offs to be made. Provide direction, control, evaluation and recommendations relating to technical risks and opportunities. Support test planning and requirements verification to achieve certification and delivery for the overall system. Working with and influencing key project stakeholders including customer and end users. Present Architecture material at Design reviews internally and externally for the overall system. Act as a technical interface between the end customer and the Leonardo Engineering team. Actively support knowledge sharing and exploitation of best practice. Support the guidance and development of junior Engineers within the Engineering team. Contribute to the successful achievement of engineering. Support and advise sub-system design teams through their design reviews. Travel within the UK to meet with our customers and industry partners.
What you'll bring
Required
- A degree (or equivalent experience) in a STEM subject and strong numerical, analytical and design skills, with the ability to apply these to real world problems.
- Strong understanding of system and project lifecycles as applicable to delivery of sub-systems, technical and commercial baselines, and change control.
- Strong understanding of Systems Architecture activities as part of the Systems Lifecycle.
- Self-motivated with a strong aptitude for problem-solving and decision-making within projects involving design complexity and uncertainty.
- Strong experience of influencing system design and integration of a major system.
- Strong experience in stakeholder management within organisations and with customers (internal or external) in a high-pressure environment, pulling in technical expertise when and where appropriate.
- Experience of successfully passing Design Reviews and implementing potentially complex remedial actions with sub-contract equipment suppliers and integration teams.
Ideally
- Knowledge of military Force Protection Electronic Counter Measures (FPECM) systems.
- Strong understanding of systems integration and progressive assurance.
- Experience of making design decisions by trading-off alternate solution based on functionality, performance and cost.
- Chartered engineer / member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET)
This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.
Security Clearance
This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government's Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and The Security Check (SC).
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 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 - Basildon
Contract Type: Permanent
Hybrid Working: Hybrid
Locations
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Systems Engineer (DA) Land CEMA in Basildon, Essex
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Leonardo for a Lead Systems Engineer (DA) Land CEMA. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Systems Engineer (DA) Land CEMA in Basildon, Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Leonardo, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Leonardo, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Leonardo.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Leonardo. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Leonardo love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
