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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering transformation and productivity improvements across teams.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a leader in defence and aerospace innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension contributions, and mental health support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing engineering processes and driving innovation.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in engineering management with a focus on process improvement.
- Other info: Flexible working options and access to 4,000+ online courses for continuous learning.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Overview
Head of Engineering Capability role at Leonardo. Reporting to the VP Engineering Governance & EW LoB, this leadership position oversees engineering process governance, transformation, and productivity improvements across the EW & ISP Engineering Leadership teams. The focus is on enhancing ways of working, implementing best practices, and leveraging tools and technologies for optimal outcomes. The ideal candidate has a strong background in engineering management and process improvement and will, as Chair of the Process Council, lead activities to ensure effective governance, optimization, and continuous improvement of organisational processes.
Responsibilities
- Engineering Transformation Lead initiatives to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and agility of the engineering organisation. Drive the adoption of methodologies like Agile, DevOps, and Lean. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
- Productivity Improvements Identify opportunities and implement initiatives for productivity enhancements. Monitor and analyse KPIs and metrics to measure productivity and find areas for improvement. Provide guidance and support to engineering teams.
- Tools and Technologies Work with the wider LEUK Technology Units to evaluate, select, and implement tools and technologies for improved productivity. Ensure effective integration and utilisation of these tools across the organisation. Stay updated with the latest trends and recommend new tools as appropriate.
- Development Provide guidance and support to teams on process improvement methodologies and tools. Identify skill gaps and targeted development opportunities to enhance team capabilities.
- Leadership and Governance Lead the Process Council in setting strategic goals and objectives for process improvement. Ensure effective governance of organisational processes, including the establishment of policies and standards. Facilitate council meetings, ensuring productive discussions and decision-making.
- Process Improvement Identify opportunities for process optimisation and drive initiatives to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Promote the adoption of best practices and methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the organisation.
- Stakeholder Collaboration Collaborate with senior leadership, department heads, and other stakeholders to align process improvement initiatives with business goals. Function as a liaison between the Process Council and other departments to ensure seamless communication and coordination. Provide regular updates to senior management on the progress and outcomes of process improvement initiatives.
Ways of Working
- Establish best practices for engineering processes including development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
- Develop and enforce standardised processes to support consistency across projects.
- Encourage collaboration among cross-functional teams to improve coordination.
- Promote open and effective communication to align project goals and tasks.
What you’ll bringIndividual Capability, Knowledge, and Experience
- KPIs and Metrics: Skilled in monitoring and analysing KPIs to measure productivity and drive improvements using data-driven insights.
- Engineering Processes: Strong understanding of best practices for engineering development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
- Engineering Transformation: Proven experience in leading initiatives to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and agility.
- Tools and Technologies: Familiar with a wide range of tools, including project management software, collaboration platforms, CI/CD tools, and testing frameworks.
- People Skills: Effective communicator and collaborator with various stakeholders, able to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
Education And Qualifications
- Degree level education.
- Related professional qualifications are beneficial.
Experience
- Minimum of 10 years in engineering management, focusing on governance and process improvement.
- Strong technical background with experience in engineering transformation and modern practices.
- Proven experience in process improvement, governance, and leadership roles.
- Understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile methodologies.
- Ability to lead productive meetings and discussions.
Personal Characteristics
- Excellent interpersonal skills and teamwork.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Creative, innovative, and able to identify and scale new opportunities.
- Persuasive, resilient, and able to work well under pressure.
- Strategic thinker with attention to detail.
- Driven, dynamic, adaptable, and able to prioritise and deliver under tight deadlines.
- Effective communicator at all levels.
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, including meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information please visit https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting
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.
- Time to Recharge: Generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
- Secure your Future: 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: Financial reward through our referral programme.
- Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, discounts, gym memberships and more.
- Flexible working: Hybrid working options. For part-time opportunities, discuss possibilities for this role.
For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.
Location
Primary Location: GB – Luton – Cap. Green 300
Additional Locations: GB – Basildon
Contract Type
Permanent
Hybrid Working
Hybrid
Seniority level
- Executive
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Engineering and Information Technology
- Industries: Defense and Space Manufacturing, Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing, and Computer and Network Security
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Head of Engineering Capability employer: Leonardo
Contact Detail:
Leonardo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering Capability
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work at Leonardo or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to engineering management and process improvement. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio or presentation that highlights your past achievements in engineering transformation and productivity improvements. This will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the latest job openings tailored to your skills and experience.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering Capability
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in engineering management and process improvement. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of Engineering Capability, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As this role involves leading the Process Council, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've driven transformation initiatives and fostered a culture of continuous improvement in previous roles. We love to see strong people skills in action!
Be Data-Driven: Since monitoring KPIs and metrics is key to this position, include specific examples of how you’ve used data to drive productivity improvements. We’re looking for candidates who can analyse and interpret data effectively, so make sure to highlight your analytical skills.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo
✨Know Your Engineering Processes
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of engineering processes, especially those related to development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented best practices in these areas and how they can enhance productivity.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a candidate for the Head of Engineering Capability, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've led teams through transformation initiatives and fostered a culture of continuous improvement. Highlight your ability to facilitate productive discussions and decision-making.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since monitoring and analysing KPIs is key to this role, come prepared with examples of how you've used data-driven insights to drive improvements in engineering processes. Discuss specific metrics you've tracked and how they influenced your decisions.
✨Foster Collaboration
Collaboration is essential in this role, so think about how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Be ready to share experiences where you successfully aligned project goals and improved communication among stakeholders.
