Independent Technical Authority

Overview

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Our Design Integrity department are recruiting for an Independent Technical Authority to provide independent assurance of product compliance in support of design certification, mostly within the airborne domain. You will be accountable for the integrity of products within Electronic Warfare and Major Air Programmes led from Luton, including products under development at Filton, Southampton, Lincoln and Edinburgh. You will review and check release artefacts such as Declarations of Design Performance (DDP), F100A and Product Integrity Certificates. You will also provide SME advice and guidance to technical leads and program chief engineers, and help define required assurance activities for new and innovative ways of working. This is a hybrid role based in Luton, Lincoln, Bristol, or Southampton with regular UK travel and occasional international trips.

Your duties will include influencing Product Safety, Security and Environmental Impact management decisions for Electronic Warfare (EW) and Future Combat Air Systems (FCA) across the full Product lifecycle, from design and manufacture through in-service support to decommissioning and disposal to deliver safe and sustainable products.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent assurance and Compliance Verification Engineer (CVE) for design certification of Leonardo products.
• Define the certification basis for products developed for high integrity airborne applications.
• Advise product development teams to ensure regulatory requirements are understood, products are producible, safe, secure, legal, fit for purpose, and reliable.
• Review and approve Declarations of Conformity against relevant UK, EU and global legislation, consulting SMEs as needed.
• Chair design reviews on products, systems and services within domain expertise.
• Participate in Product Safety and security Panels and internal working groups to monitor regulatory changes.
• Review Integrated Project Team Engineering Plans for design governance and certification alignment.
• Provide independent specialist guidance on best practices, standards and legislation.
• Support development of Subject Matter Experts within the line of business.
• Participate in vendor assessments to understand supplier capabilities.
• Represent the company as deputy for design certification under AS9100D and DAOS accreditations; deputise for the Chief Engineer Design Integrity when required.
• Represent Design Integrity, Leonardo Electronics in external forums; develop and deliver regulatory training.

What You’ll Bring

• Recognised SME in a relevant domain and in a technology area such as Software or Electronics/Hardware.
• Hands-on experience of product certification to recognised standards, including Integration, Test, Evaluation and Acceptance (ITEA) for airborne products.
• Experience managing Product Safety and familiarity with regulatory environments for airborne products (e.g., MAA, EASA).
• Ideally CEng and familiar with product security and cyber.
• Understanding of DO-178C, DO-254 or similar standards.
• Experience delivering training and awareness courses; ability to identify future regulatory needs.
• Active member of external specialist groups or forums.

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 National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply (e.g., SC or DV). For more information, visit https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

Leonardo offers a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package supporting wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Highlights include:

• Time to Recharge – up to 12 additional flexi-days per year.
• Secure your Future – pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters – mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks promoting inclusion and diversity.
• Rewarding Performance – bonus scheme for management and below.
• Never Stop Learning – access to 4,000+ online courses.
• Refer a friend – financial referral rewards.
• Tailored Perks – up to £500 annually on flexible benefits (private healthcare, dental, family cover, discounts, gym memberships, etc.).
• Flexible working – hybrid options; part-time possibilities to discuss.

Be part of something bigger – apply now.

Locations

Primary Location: GB – Luton – Cap. Green 300; Additional Locations: GB – Bristol – Coldharbour Lane, GB – Lincoln, GB – Southampton. Hybrid working.