Principal Supportability Engineer (ILS) in Basildon

Your impact

Help shape the future of military capability. As a Principal ILS Engineer at Leonardo, you’ll lead the integration of Supportability across complex systems – many in the Electronic Warfare domain – so operators can perform at their best when it matters most. You’ll set the strategy for ILS across programmes, influence the design from concept to delivery, and work with multidisciplinary teams, military users, and Ministry of Defence stakeholders to deliver safe, effective, and compliant solutions.

What you will do:

• Set strategy and governance: define ILS approach, standards, and measures of effectiveness across programmes.
• Assure delivery: lead major ILS work packages and reviews; ensure quality, schedule, and compliance.
• Technical leadership and mentoring: guide ILS practitioners and adjacent disciplines and share best practice.
• Bid and capture: shape winning ILS propositions, estimates, and plans for competitive proposals.
• Testing and evaluation: plan and run ILS activities, trials, and demonstrations, monitor performance, and drive design actions.
• Client engagement: act as the ILS point of contact for MOD and industry clients and partners, building long-term relationships.
• Capability development: identify opportunities for innovation and strengthen ILS function and EW domain practice.

What you’ll bring

Main must-haves:

• Support design reviews and customer meetings, by presenting ILS evidence and guidance, ensuring that AR&M and supportability aspects are effectively communicated and addressed.
• Extensive experience in ILS on mission-critical defence/aerospace programmes, with working knowledge of the Defence Logistics Framework and Def Stan 00-600.
• Depth across ILS methods: supportability analysis, software support, safety, supply support, maintenance and progressive assurance.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and mentoring, setting direction and assuring quality across multiple projects.
• Experience in applying AR&M methodologies within complex engineering projects.
• Strong stakeholder skills with senior MOD and industry clients; able to influence and build trust.

Helpful tooling (nice to have):

• You will preferably have a degree in a relevant engineering or science discipline.
• Experience with requirement and delivery tools (e.g., DOORS, Jira, Confluence).
• Experience of safety analysis of complex systems in a safety-critical industry.
• Experience building Capability within an organisation and supporting business growth.

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). 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!