Graduate Test Software Engineer in Newcastle upon Tyne

Your impact

Are you ready to launch your career and make an impact on real-world projects from day one? At Leonardo, we’re looking for graduates who want to be part of something extraordinary — shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety. We are committed to developing our graduates into leading technical or business professionals, and as such we will also support you through your preferred route for professional development.

Our 18-month Graduate Programmes give you the opportunity to work on exciting and challenging projects alongside industry leaders. On joining, you will receive a starting salary of £34,000 per annum, plus a £1,000 welcome bonus. You’ll also be eligible for a £1,000 exit bonus upon successful completion of the programme. In addition, you may be eligible for a Temporary Accommodation Allowance (TAA), subject to specific criteria. We encourage you to spend at least three days each week on site to integrate with your team and maximise your learning experience.

During the programme, you will:

• Develop the skills required to create software for test solutions, across a varied product portfolio.
• Explore all stages of the development lifecycle, requirements definition through to implementation, integration test and delivery.
• Build practical experience by working on real development and production test solutions delivered to internal and external customers.
• Enhance your technical capability through a combination of on-the-job learning and formal training, aligned to business needs and your career aspirations.

As a Graduate Test Software Engineer, you will:

• Gain experience across the full software design lifecycle, from requirements analysis; through design, coding and unit test; to integrating the software with the hardware target; and lastly to acceptance test and delivery to the customer.
• Contribute to the creation of high quality and robust code; documenting and recording your work products; keeping them under configuration management and providing plans and reports on progress.
• Develop an understanding of complex products through close collaboration with Hardware and Firmware engineers to solve real integration problems on test systems.
• Have opportunities to take an active role in engineering process improvement.
• Develop software solutions to control measurement instrumentation devices and fully automate testing of a unit under test.

Entry Requirements:

A minimum of a 2:2 Bachelor’s/Integrated Master’s degree, or higher degree, such as MSc or PhD. For this role, acceptable degree disciplines include: Security, Computer Communication and Networks, Computer & Network Technology & Cyber Security.

Security Clearance

Many of our roles are subject to security and export control restrictions set by UK Government Security requirements and customer obligations. As a result, and in line with the UK Government Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) requirements, all successful applicants will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record declaration information and employment and/or education history verification for the previous five years. For staff operating in more sensitive posts, there is an additional range of personnel security controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV). As part of this process, a range of factors may be considered, including an individual's background, travel history, nationality, previous nationalities held and other information relevant to the vetting assessment. To be eligible for National Security Vetting at SC level, applicants will generally be expected to have continuously resided in the UK for the previous five years. For DV clearance, this is typically ten years. In some circumstances, time spent overseas may be accepted, with additional overseas checks. Additional vetting requirements may apply upon appointment.

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do, key contributors in shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety. 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 are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Join in our success: Our annual Employee Stock Ownership Plan provides you the opportunity to own shares in Leonardo.
• Tailored perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.

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, communities and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Start your extraordinary career – apply now!

Primary Location: GB - Edinburgh

Additional Locations: GB - Newcastle

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid