Digital Engineering Integration Systems Engineer in Edinburgh

Leonardo Future Combat Air (FCA) seeks a Digital Engineering Integration Systems Engineer to help deliver and integrate Digital Engineering/Digital Thread Enabling Capabilities for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) Design and Development phase. GCAP is an international collaboration between the UK, Japan, and Italy developing a 6th generation Future Combat Air platform that will enter service in the mid 2030’s. In the UK this platform is known as Tempest and will replace the Royal Air Force Typhoon fleet. Leonardo UK (LEUK) plays a leading role in the development and delivery of airborne sensors and communications capabilities for GCAP. A Single Source of Truth (SSoT) is essential to the program.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Digital Engineering Product Owner and wider stakeholders, to agree the User Needs/Use Cases for Digital Engineering Capabilities in line with the Digital Engineering Strategy for the GCAP Programme. Decompose User Needs into Digital Engineering Enabling Capabilities as appropriate.
• Ensure alignment with the overall GCAP and internal Leonardo Digital Engineering Capability Roadmaps to achieve an integrated, end‑to‑end Product Development.
• Work with internal business stakeholders such as the Future Factory and Engineering Function to create a target state vision for the Digital Engineering Environment and Digital Thread for GCAP – including Digital Thread definition, PLM/ALM Modernisation, Model‑Based Engineering, and connected engineering ecosystems.
• Represent Leonardo as a subject matter expert, providing support to industry engagement across GCAP on the wider Digital Engineering topics, including liaising with partners to discuss and influence future ways of working on GCAP and planning a Digital Engineering transformation solution across Leonardo.
• Work closely with the Digital Engineering Product Owner, planning proof‑of‑concept and proof‑of‑value demonstrations to provide confidence that the new Digital Engineering services meet the time and cost goals for the GCAP Programme.
• Undertake the required level of planning, requirements and deployment management to ensure Digital Engineering Capability insertions are fully integrated and aligned to the GCAP Programme.
• Work closely with the Digital Engineering Enabler teams to support project implementation and delivery of Digital Engineering services and capabilities into GCAP using a systematic approach.
• Work closely with Future Factory and Digital Engineering Enabler teams, to trial and demonstrate benefit of Digital Engineering Capabilities by testing Digital Engineering Capabilities to meet the current and evolving Programme requirements. This includes providing feedback on improving the usability and quality of Digital Engineering Environments/Digital Threads for the GCAP Programme.

What You'll Bring

You really must have

• Excellent communication skills with all levels of hierarchy and across cultures.
• Ability to influence and inspire trust in others.
• Ability to work effectively even in the presence of uncertainty.
• A proactive problem solver that seeks win‑win solutions.
• A breadth of engineering experience and a good understanding of engineering functions, projects and processes.
• Familiarity with latest Digital Engineering Technologies, Methods and Trends.
• A strong passion for continuous learning and growth in Digital Engineering.
• Demonstrative experience of building and executing models using engineering tools related to Systems Modelling, PLM, CAD/CAE, Simulation or Requirements Management.
• 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.
• Understanding how engineering is delivered by Leonardo UK.
• Experience of all lifecycle phases i.e. Development, Manufacture and Support.

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). For more information and guidance please visit 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

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Other, Information Technology, and Engineering

Industries

Defense and Space Manufacturing, Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing, and Computer and Network Security

Company Information

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 key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety. We are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace.