Lead Systems Engineer - Digital Engineering in Bristol

Leonardo Future Combat Air (FCA) are looking for an open‑minded, collaborative Digital Engineering Integration Product Owner with a breadth of experience to help deliver and integrate the Digital Engineering/Digital Thread Enabling Capabilities required to support the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) Design and Development phase.

What You Will Do

• Be the Product Development Lead for the Digital Engineering Integration team that will help modernise and optimise LEUK’s approach to end‑to‑end product development on GCAP.
• Be accountable for the delivering of the Digital Engineering Integration Programme Backlog, leading specialist scrum teams comprised of:

• Product Owner, providing direction and prioritising team activities.
• Scrum Master, responsible for empowering the Scrum team and seeking to remove impediments from the team, improving productivity and acting as an Agile coach to ensure the Scrum process is effective.
• Development Team members who complete the work on the Programme backlog.

What You’ll Bring

• Excellent communication skills with all levels of hierarchy and across cultures.
• Ability to influence and inspire trust in others.
• Be able to lead stakeholder engagement and facilitate technical discussions.
• Adept at navigating cross‑functional environments, translating business requirements into scalable enabling solutions that drive operational efficiency and innovation.
• A strong background in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering, with a solid grasp of multidisciplinary principles and system‑level thinking.
• The ability to work effectively even in the presence of uncertainty.
• Proactive problem‑solving approaches that seek win‑win solutions.
• Significant engineering experience on large, complex programmes.
• A breadth of engineering experience and a good understanding of engineering functions, projects and processes.
• Familiarity with latest Digital Engineering Technologies, Methods and Trends.
• Demonstrable experience of building and executing models using engineering tools related to Systems Modelling, PLM, CAD/CAE, Simulation or Requirements Management.
• Experience of Agile/Scrum Development Methodologies.
• Ability to work in a collaborative and team‑based environment.

It would be nice if you had:

• Proven technical expertise and management on Defence programmes and full knowledge and experience of other related disciplines.
• Knowledge and experience of Digital Engineering/Digital Threads and Digital Twins.
• Understanding of financial management and impacts on programmes.
• Experience in a “customer facing” role.
• Experience of interaction with senior external personnel on significant engineering matters often requiring coordination between organisations.
• Understand how engineering is delivered by Leonardo UK.
• Have experience of all lifecycle phases i.e. Development, Manufacture and Support.

Additional qualifications and experience are desirable but not required. 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, including meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC). For more information and guidance please visit here. As part of the security clearance for this role you must have sole UK nationality to apply.

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 (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing, and Ethnicity).
• 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.

Primary Location: GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane

Additional Locations: GB - Basildon, GB - Edinburgh, GB - Lincoln, GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300, GB - Newcastle, GB - Southampton

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid