At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented team in shaping the future of military aviation.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive workplace that values diversity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security and defence technology.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's in Electronic Engineering and strong technical leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Would you like the opportunity to be at the heart of a highly complex engineering challenge, that will shape the future of military aviation in the UK for years to come? We are seeking an outstanding technical leader to join Leonardo as Sector Chief Engineer for the Future Combat Air (FCA) Line of Business—a pivotal role at the heart of the UK's next‐generation combat air capability.
In this highly visible and strategically critical position, you will provide technical direction and leadership to an exceptionally talented team of multi-disciplined engineers spanning multiple programmes, including Team Tempest, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and other classified activities. Together, these programmes are shaping the future of the RAF's next‐generation fighter aircraft.
This role requires primarily on-site working at our Capability Green site in Luton due to national security considerations, with occasional UK and international travel. You must already hold, or be eligible to obtain, Developed Vetting (DV) National Security clearance.
What you will do as a Sector Chief Engineer:
- Provide overall technical leadership and authority across FCA engineering activities.
- Ensure engineering outputs meet customer requirements and comply with company engineering processes and safety, security, and airworthiness regulatory requirements.
- Set the technical direction through leadership of System Design Authorities (SDA), Systems Architects, and Technical Specialists.
- Lead, mentor, develop and recruit the SDA technical community and chair the FCA Chief Engineers Forum.
- Act as the senior technical reviewer and authorised signatory within FCA.
- Represent Leonardo in senior-level government customer and industry partner engagements.
- Lead complex technical investigations and resolve technical conflicts and priorities.
- Drive design commonality, reuse, and modularity across all engineering disciplines, ensuring that the highest levels of Engineering standards are maintained and the integrity of design solutions are assured.
- Shape technology and product roadmaps in collaboration with Design Integrity, Capability Management and external customers.
- Champion continuous engineering improvement and support strategic initiatives led by the VP Engineering (FCA).
What you'll bring:
This role offers a unique chance to make a real impact on national security and contribute to a programme that is vital to the future of combat aviation. If you're a visionary leader with a passion for defence technology, and a commitment to engineering excellence, we'd love to hear from you.
You Really Must Have:
- A Bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering or a closely related discipline.
- A strong technical background in the design, qualification and certification of mission critical equipment.
- Significant depth of technical leadership experience spanning the entire engineering lifecycle, including systems and platform integration, and the application of relevant design assurance processes and standards.
- A structured approach to technical problem solving, excellent communication skills, and experience of providing technical leadership to engineering teams.
- On the path to achieving professional registration as a Chartered Engineer.
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 part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.
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!
Primary Location: GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300
Contract Type: Permanent
Hybrid Working: Hybrid
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sector Chief Engineer in Gillingham
✨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 Sector Chief 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 Sector Chief Engineer in Gillingham
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.
