At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of 180 engineers to develop innovative software solutions for Electronic Warfare.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, comprehensive health support, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing mission effectiveness and protecting lives through technology.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and a solid software design background required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Head of Software Engineering in the Electronic Warfare (EW) line of business, covering our Luton, Lincoln and Bristol. Within the EW line of business, it is our mission to develop and deliver solutions that protect lives and enhance mission effectiveness. Delivering capability through technology, EW brings capability to the frontline. Our technology counters exploits in the Electromagnetic Spectrum to provide operators with situational awareness and the ability to protect the platforms and passengers from threats in the air domain.
You will lead the EW software community of around 180 engineers across the breadth of our three capability areas of Sensors, Data Fusion and Effectors to design, develop and deliver effective software solutions. Your responsibilities will span the Luton (Primary), Lincoln and Bristol locations, alongside contributing to the UK Software Engineering strategy.
As Head of Software, you will be responsible for:
- Timely delivery of capability and capacity for Software development, including recruitment and training, establishing an end-to-end talent pipeline across the full career map.
- Drive improvements into Software Project delivery considering improved estimation, project monitoring and timely interventions.
- The Software Development Process, Toolchain, Resource and Technology strategy and its delivery to the business.
- Working closely with business sector stakeholders, Engineering Leadership and Product Architects in developing product and technology roadmaps.
- Acting as the single point of process authority for the sector.
- Identifying, championing and driving improvement activities into the software function at local and UK level.
- Collaborating with other areas of Engineering to achieve a coherent and integrated Engineering process and toolchain.
- The identification and management of long-term resource and technology partners.
- Cost Centre management, budget control and strategic planning.
Strong leadership capabilities are essential to drive technical excellence and team performance. A strategic mindset, clear decision-making, and the ability to inspire and guide software teams through complex engineering challenges. Strong software design background to work with our product architects to realise a coherent software design and technology strategy. Agile Transformation, Component Architectures, Model Driven Engineering, Digital Transformation, Embedded Software, Avionics Software. Experience of developing software following industry standards such as RTCA/DO-178C, IEC61508 or ISO26262 for example.
A proven track record in Security Clearance.
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.
- Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
- 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.
- 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. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hybrid Working:
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of (Software) Engineering (f/m/d) in Luton
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Leonardo or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Leonardo.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Leonardo.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Leonardo that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of (Software) Engineering (f/m/d) in Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Leonardo.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Leonardo and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Leonardo uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
