Head of Engineering Capability (Process, Tools & Governance) in Luton

Your Impact

Design the future of engineering excellence. Our Design Integrity function is seeking a Head of Engineering Capability (Process, Tools, and Governance). This senior leadership role drives the modernisation of engineering processes, tools, and data across the enterprise, ensuring consistent, efficient, and digitally connected delivery aligned to the highest standards of design integrity and compliance.

You will lead enterprise-wide capability transformation, embedding data driven governance, modern digital workflows, and a culture of continuous improvement across multiple lines of business. Working closely with engineering leaders, governance bodies, and enabling functions, you will strengthen engineering performance and confidence across the organisation.

Your responsibilities:

• Engineering Process Excellence
  • Chair the Engineering Process Council.
  • Support the strategy, structure, and continuous evolution of the engineering process suite.
  • Leading the transformation of the Engineering aspects of the BMS.
  • Redesign and simplify processes to improve usability, compliance, and engineering outcomes.
  • Ensure alignment with regulatory, customer, and business requirements.
  • Embedding systems engineering, lifecycle management, and design integrity principles throughout the process framework.
  • Support and coordinate with Quality Function to be the Engineering representative for Audits at all levels.
  • Review and monitor compliance of engineering processes and Key Performance Indicators (KPI) adherence and report to Engineering Council and Governance forums.
• Data Driven Engineering Governance
  • Develop a Data Driven Engineering Governance Framework that uses measurable indicators of process performance, compliance, and engineering quality.
  • Build dashboards, analytics models, and reporting mechanisms to support decision making.
  • Monitor, analyse and report monthly online of Business Engineering KPIs and metrics to measure productivity to inform local Line of Business and Engineering Function Council.
  • Chair or support governance forums that oversee engineering capability, process adherence, and continuous improvement.
  • Provide a data driven approach to identifying areas for action and potential future improvement activities for consideration by engineering TUs, CI, LEX and Engineering Tools and Process forums.
  • Ensure governance is transparent, consistent, and aligned across Engineering and the wider business.
• Integrated Engineering Tools, Data, and Digital Engineering Workflows
  • Lead the creation of a connected digital ecosystem linking processes, tools, and data flows.
  • Support the integrated engineering toolchain strategy, ensuring tools support and reinforce process intent.
  • Support the ETIF, Engineering Steerco and other Process/Tool collaborations.
  • Partner with IT, Digital Engineering, and Data teams to enable automation, traceability, and real time insight.
• Engineering Continuous Improvement and Adoption
  • Lead change management efforts to embed new processes, tools, and governance practices across engineering teams.
  • Work with Line of Business engineering leaders to identify improvement opportunities and drive cross functional alignment.
  • Coordinate Stakeholders across Engineering.
  • Act as the central integrator between Design Integrity, Line of Business Engineering, Digital Engineering, Quality, and Programme teams.
  • Collaborate with senior leadership, department heads, and other stakeholders to align improvement initiatives with business goals.
  • Represent the Design Integrity organisation in enterprise-wide capability initiatives.
  • Provide regular updates to senior management on the progress and outcomes of local improvement initiatives.
  • Ensure process and tool changes are communicated clearly and adopted consistently.
  • Be a leader in local initiatives and implementation and reinforcing LEUK ways of working and develop a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

What you’ll bring:

• Engineering leadership: Proven leadership experience in engineering management, systems engineering, or engineering governance. Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Engineering Processes: Strong background in process development, process transformation, or business management systems. Strong understanding of best practices for engineering development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Tools and Technologies: Experience integrating engineering tools, digital workflows, and data systems.
• KPIs and Metrics: Strong analytical mindset with experience using data to drive governance and improvement. Skilled in monitoring and analysing KPIs to measure productivity and drive improvements using data-driven insights.
• Engineering Transformation: Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional change and influence at senior levels. Seen as a strategic and system thinker. Proven experience in leading improvement initiatives and tactical implementation of improvements and new capabilities to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and agility.
• Continuous Improvement: Familiar with Lean, Six Sigma and other methodologies and techniques associated with improvements, waste reduction and process optimisation.
• Management: Familiar with project management, engineering management and lifecycle processes such as waterfall, Agile and hybrid applications, including tailoring and scaling.
• Resource & Budgeting: Familiar with resourcing, loading and forward load calculations and analysis. Understand IBP and ODP process and inputs.
• Education and Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience. 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.

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 (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.

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

Additional Locations: GB - Basildon, GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane, GB - Lincoln, GB - London, GB - Luton - Cap. Green L350, GB - Southampton

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid