At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering projects from concept to delivery, driving innovation and excellence.
- 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 a diverse team that values creativity and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of engineering while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in engineering and project management.
The predicted salary is between 82000 - 95000 £ per year.
Salary - £82,000 to £95,000
Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.
Your Impact
With the continued growth within EW, we are offering an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and experienced leader to take on the role of Head of Engineering Projects within our EW Line of Business. This is a pivotal position, combining strategic vision with hands-on delivery, and offers the chance to shape the future of engineering capability within Leonardo.
As Head of Engineering Projects, you will lead the successful delivery of complex technical programs from early concept through to production support. You will work closely with customers and partners to ensure we provide best-in-class solutions, while driving innovation and operational excellence across all engineering initiatives.
What You’ll Do
- Strategic leadership: Provide strategic direction and oversight across all programmes, motivating, leading and inspiring engineering teams to achieve excellence.
- Deliver Engineering Success: Shape and direct the planning, resourcing, prioritisation, execution, and delivery of engineering projects, with accountability for the technical outcomes, alongside schedule and cost adherence.
- Develop Talent: Build a high‑performing engineering organisation which includes proactive mentoring across the team, shaping capability development, and driving a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and technical excellence.
- Drive Innovation: Champion the evolution of engineering capability, by driving the adoption of cutting‑edge technologies, modern methodologies, and process enhancements that improve efficiency, quality, and competitiveness.
- Collaborate: Work alongside the internal engineering disciplines, to ensure the forward load is representative of future requirements, forecasting the skills and capability needs of the programmes, and develop robust succession plans to ensure continued future success.
- Build effective partnerships: Forge strong working relationships with internal teams, external stakeholders, customers and partners to ensure alignment and seamless delivery across EW.
- Due diligence and governance: Apply effective Life Cycle Management processes across bids and projects, taking overall responsibility for all Engineering governance assurance activities.
- Maintain Quality & Compliance: Guarantee adherence to safety, security, and quality standards, across the Engineering teams.
- Manage Budgets: Lead the optimisation of engineering budgets, making informed trade‑off decisions that deliver value without compromising quality, safety, or programme integrity.
- Risk Management: Drive a proactive and transparent risk management approach across all Engineering practices, anticipating risks, guiding effective controls, and ensuring alignment with organisational priorities.
- Support the Sector VP: Assist in monthly Project Reviews, Demand Reviews, Supply Reviews and LoB Reviews.
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
Additional Locations: GB - Lincoln
Contract Type: Permanent
Hybrid Working: Onsite
Head of Engineering Projects in Luton employer: Leonardo
At Leonardo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. Our comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave, a robust pension scheme, and access to extensive learning resources, ensures that our employees can grow both personally and professionally. Located in Luton, we foster a culture of inclusivity and support, making it an ideal place for talented individuals to shape the future of engineering in the aerospace and defence sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering Projects in Luton
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Head of Engineering Projects role you’re after at Leonardo.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Leonardo a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Leonardo.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Head of Engineering Projects at Leonardo, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering Projects in Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Head of Engineering Projects, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Leonardo a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Leonardo specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Leonardo, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Leonardo want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
