At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative airborne RF sensing projects and mentor engineering teams.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a leader in defence and aerospace technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, private healthcare, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Eligible for full security clearance; hybrid working options available.
- Why this job: Shape the future of engineering while promoting collaboration and innovation.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in complex engineering environments and strong technical expertise required.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.
Job Description Your Impact Are you an experienced Systems Engineering leader, able to guide large teams? Are you passionate about Systems Engineering? Are you able to coach and develop the Systems Engineers of the future? The Chief Systems Engineer acts as the focal point for Systems Engineering Governance and ensures our Systems Engineering capability trends in a positive direction. The role will provide a clear point of contact on Systems Engineering capability for the Sector Head of Engineering Projects, Sector Chief Engineer and the Head of Systems Engineering. What we build is exciting, interesting, challenging and complex. A diverse product portfolio of airborne RF sensing technologies, with each programme at a different stage in its development lifecycle. Given this complexity, it requires each programme to connect with the “Art of Systems Engineering” to ensure we are doing the right activities at the right time. The focus of this role is to provide direction, guidance and expertise to ensure Our systems engineering team define the problem completely Our teams reuse techniques and artefacts across the portfolio of projects Our teams manage complexity through architecting our systems well Our teams predict and mitigate emergent behaviours when operating at a system or system of systems level Our projects create and enact the correct verification and validation strategy As a Chief Systems Engineer, you will influence each product, its technical direction and our customers’ satisfaction. We are looking for someone passionate about our products, with a systems‑thinking approach and proven experience of forming and leading high performing teams. You will thrive in dynamic environments, with the ability to make decisions quickly under pressure and set a clear technical vision for the team. Given the nature of the work at this level we are able to offer custom working, however some on‑site working is expected. What you’ll do Act as the point of contact for all things Systems Engineering to the Sector Chief Engineer, Head of Systems Engineering and Head of Engineering Projects Be a coach in the art of systems engineering Provide expertise and guidance to ensure our engineers define the problem completely Ensure programmes capture the views and needs of all our stakeholders, covering the full lifecycle and different stakeholder types, including bridging the gap between Engineering and Capability Ensure the right concepting, modelling and simulation techniques are used to identify and mitigate emergent properties Champion Design for Excellence (DfX) concepts for Systems Engineering Provide expertise and guidance on System Architecting and System Synthesis concepts Promote and provide guidance and expertise on “System of Systems Engineering” Act as the focal point for systems engineering governance, supporting Lifecycle Management (LCM) activities related to systems engineering such as bids, design reviews and audits Champion innovative approaches and modern techniques across the full lifecycle Hold quarterly threat and mitigation reviews across the sector Represent Leonardo within Systems Engineering bodies and groups of interest, such as INCOSE Identify trends across your sector, capturing and sharing lessons learned to improve the quality and efficiency of future work Provide the right metrics to capture improvements and opportunities Own and drive a sector 6‑month improvement plan aligned with the needs of the LoB and Systems Engineering improvement plan Work with the Systems People
Contact Detail:
Leonardo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Systems Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the aerospace and defence sectors. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and leaders at Leonardo. Building these relationships can give you insights into the company culture and the specific challenges they face.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Leonardo's current projects and technologies, especially in airborne RF sensing. Understanding their recent innovations and strategic goals will allow you to speak knowledgeably about how your experience aligns with their needs during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your leadership skills by sharing examples of how you've successfully managed complex engineering teams and projects. Prepare specific anecdotes that highlight your ability to coach and mentor others, as this is a key aspect of the Chief Systems Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends in systems engineering and digital transformation. Being knowledgeable about emerging technologies and methodologies will not only enhance your expertise but also show Leonardo that you are committed to continuous improvement and innovation.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Systems Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your leadership experience in complex engineering environments, as well as your technical background in systems architecture and integration. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to coach and mentor teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for developing people and promoting collaboration. Mention how your vision aligns with Leonardo's commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in engineering.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on high-impact projects you've led or contributed to. Emphasise your role in governance, systems thinking, and system of systems design to showcase your expertise.
Prepare for Technical Questions: Anticipate technical questions related to airborne RF sensing technologies and systems engineering principles. Be ready to discuss your approach to driving digital transformation and best practices in engineering.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Chief Systems Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in complex engineering environments, focusing on your ability to mentor and coach others.
✨Highlight Technical Expertise
Be ready to discuss your technical background in systems architecture and integration. Bring specific examples of projects where you played a key role in stakeholder management and system design to showcase your expertise.
✨Emphasise Innovation and Improvement
Leonardo values innovation and continuous improvement. Think of instances where you've driven digital transformation or implemented new processes that enhanced engineering practices, and be prepared to share these during the interview.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Familiarise yourself with Leonardo's commitment to employee wellbeing and development. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their culture of collaboration and best practices, as well as how you align with their values.