Solution Architect - Land CEMA in Bristol

Are you a Solutions Architect who loves contributing to the UK's Defence Industry and making impactful change? Leonardo has an exciting opportunity for someone with a background in Defence Communications or Cyber & Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) to enhance the leadership and strategic direction of its work in Land CEMA to support UK and international customers.

Your impact

• As Solutions Architect you will play a pivotal role in delivering business‑strategic objectives across Leonardo’s Land CEMA portfolio.
• You will shape enterprise and system‑level solution designs, ensure resilient and scalable solutions for future customer needs, and collaborate closely with colleagues, customers and industry stakeholders to strengthen our reputation as a trusted partner in defence technology.
• Maintain high awareness of all relevant developments around Land CEMA Architecture (Standards for Integrated C5ISR/EW Systems).
• Architect and deliver CEMA capabilities at enterprise and system levels, ensuring interoperability, resilience, and customer value.
• Shape technical and commercial strategy by evaluating alternative approaches and balancing bespoke development with Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) integration.
• Lead technical input to bids and campaigns, producing architectures, requirements and cost estimates to drive competitive advantage.
• Engage directly with customers and partners, translating operational needs into clear technical solutions and building trusted long‑term relationships.
• Generate thought leadership through white papers, studies and stakeholder engagement, influencing future defence programmes and market direction.
• Support recruitment and mentoring, building a pipeline of engineering talent and fostering innovation.
• Represent the organisation internationally, strengthening reputation and expanding market presence through B2B collaboration and strategic partnerships.

What You’ll Bring

• You will have a proven background within CEMA or Defence Communication applications and have worked as a Solutions Architect or in a similar role.
• A degree (or equivalent experience) in a STEM subject and strong numerical, analytical and design skills.
• Significant experience developing communications, Electronic Warfare (EW) / CEMA and/or other vehicle mission systems‑based architectures, products and systems throughout the full lifecycle.
• Experience dealing with customers at a senior commercial and technical level.
• Experience estimating costs and technical risk for each solution approach.
• Experience in the full life‑cycle of product and system development – concept through to disposal.
• Familiarity with open systems architectures such as Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA), LCA, GVA, OpenVPX, Modular Open Radio Frequency (RF) Architecture (MORA), OpenCPI, VITA.
• Experience of formal user requirements capture, traceability and compliance management methodology and tools.
• Experience of military electronic systems, including understanding of interoperability, operational use cases and customer needs.
• Knowledge of military communications architecture[s] and principles.
• Experience with relevant tools such as Cameo, Rhapsody, System Architect and The Mathworks.
• Experience of military command and control networks in the Land and Maritime context.
• Experience of the methodology and production of the engineering documentation necessary to support a competitive tender.
• Experience working in a consultancy‑type role.

You will have proven experience as a Solutions Architect (or role with similar responsibilities), with the following attributes:

• Ability to understand customer’s business or technical needs and translate them into a technical solution, using language that customers can understand.
• Excellent problem‑solving and innovation skills.
• Strategic mindset and the ability to drive an organisation to achieve short‑term goals and long‑term strategy.
• Motivating and communicating – including the ability to empower and influence others.
• Challenging and continuously improving.
• Ability to work in a multiorganisational team.
• Ability to present at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Proactive, self‑starter, comfortable working with ambiguous or ill‑defined requirements.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Additional Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, potentially requiring the eligibility for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Salary

£67,000 to £97,500 (grade‑based salary framework). Salary range reflects the approved grade band for this role and is benchmarked against the external market.

Why join us

• Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi‑days each year.
• Benefit from our award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Access to free mental health support, financial advice and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
• All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Earn a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part‑time opportunities, please discuss what might be possible for this role.

Primary Location

GB – Basildon

Additional Locations

GB – Bristol – Coldharbour Lane

GB – Southampton

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid