Supportability Engineer in Edinburgh

Supportability Engineer in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Full-Time No working from home possible
Leonardo

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team to ensure cutting-edge defence tech remains reliable and mission-ready.
  • Company: Leonardo UK, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence and Security.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while growing your engineering skills.
  • Qualifications: Degree in engineering or science; passion for problem-solving is key.

Salary Range: £44,171 - £50,000

Your impact

Have you ever wondered what happens after cutting-edge defence technology is designed? The answer is Supportability Engineering – the discipline that ensures world-class products remain reliable, maintainable and mission-ready throughout their operational life. As an Electronics Engineer within our Supportability Engineering team, you'll play a vital role in shaping the support solutions behind some of Leonardo’s most advanced radar, electronic warfare and sensing technologies.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary engineering environment, you'll influence products from the earliest bid and development stages through to production, customer support and eventual retirement. Whether supporting our radar systems for the Eurofighter Typhoon and SAAB Gripen, advanced AESA surveillance radars, Infra-Red Counter Measure (IRCM) systems, or next-generation sensing technologies, you'll help ensure our customers receive capable, reliable and supportable solutions.

You'll join a collaborative community of engineers and technical specialists, where you'll have the opportunity to grow your technical expertise while contributing to products that protect lives and support national security around the world.

What you will do as an Electronics Engineer – Supportability

You will be actively involved in analysing, assessing and improving the supportability characteristics of Leonardo's products throughout their lifecycle. Key responsibilities will include:

  • Delivering Supportability Engineering work packages covering Reliability, Maintainability and Testability (RM&T) analysis, support strategy development and modelling activities.
  • Applying a range of analytical techniques and engineering methodologies to assess integrated electronic systems.
  • Working closely with Systems, Electronics, Mechanical, Software, RF and Safety Engineers to identify and resolve support-related issues before they reach the customer.
  • Supporting the development of highly reliable and maintainable products across complex defence and aerospace programmes.
  • Contributing to engineering and Integrated Project Team decision-making through supportability expertise.
  • Developing and maintaining support strategies that align with customer operational requirements.
  • Providing guidance on through-life cost of ownership and support considerations.
  • Supporting customer engagement activities and contributing to future product roadmaps.
  • Driving continuous improvement initiatives that reduce risk, cost and operational impact throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Sharing knowledge and helping to develop the wider Supportability Engineering community.

What you'll bring

We're looking for engineers with a passion for problem-solving and an interest in understanding how complex electronic systems perform throughout their operational life. Ideally, you'll hold a degree in an engineering or science-related discipline and have experience within industry, defence, aerospace or another relevant technical environment.

Experience in any of the following areas would be advantageous:

  • Reliability, Maintainability and Testability (RMT) analysis techniques applied to electronic, RF, power or mixed-technology systems.
  • Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMEA/FMECA) at component, assembly or system level.
  • Reliability and maintainability performance measures such as Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and Mean Time To Repair (MTTR).
  • Development and management of RMT risk registers.
  • Statistical analysis and interpretation of engineering data.
  • Working collaboratively with cross-functional engineering teams, customers and suppliers.
  • Supportability Engineering, Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) or through-life engineering activities.
  • Knowledge of tools such as PTC Windchill Risk & Reliability, ReliaSoft, OPUS, Simlox, Matlab/Simulink, Jira or Python would be beneficial but is not essential.

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 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!

Supportability Engineer in Edinburgh employer: Leonardo

Leonardo is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee experience and inclusion, offering a dynamic work culture in the heart of Edinburgh. With flexible hybrid working arrangements, generous leave policies, and comprehensive mental health support, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The company fosters growth opportunities, ensuring that every team member can develop their skills and advance their careers in a supportive environment.

Leonardo

Contact Details:

Leonardo Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Supportability Engineer in Edinburgh

Join Aerospace Forums and Groups

Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.

Attend Industry Conferences

Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.

Spotlight Your Projects

Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!

Apply Directly on Company Websites

When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Leonardo for a Supportability Engineer. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!

We think you need these skills to ace Supportability Engineer in Edinburgh

Reliability, Maintainability and Testability (RM&T) analysis
Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMEA/FMECA)
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
Mean Time To Repair (MTTR)
Statistical analysis
Data interpretation
Cross-functional collaboration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Leonardo, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!

Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.

Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Leonardo, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.

Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.

How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo

Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge

Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Leonardo.

Showcase Your Projects with Confidence

Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Technical Interviews

Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Leonardo. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.

Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills

As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Leonardo love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.