At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supportability engineering for next-gen defence capabilities and influence product design.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on defence projects while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or related field; experience in supportability engineering preferred.
The predicted salary is between 54391 - 66477 £ per year.
Job Description
- Your impact
- Leonardo has an exciting opportunity for a
- Principal Supportability Engineer within the
Through Life Services (TLS) function, supporting the development of next-generation defence capabilities, including activities associated with the UK's Future Combat Air ambitions and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
This role is suited to an engineer who enjoys working in the early stages of complex programmes, influencing support concepts, product design and service strategies to deliver affordable, sustainable and operationally effective solutions throughout the life-cycle.
As a Principal Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across Supportability and Through Life Services activities.
The role offers an excellent opportunity for a high-performing Principal Engineer to further develop their leadership capability and position themselves for future Supportability Lead opportunities within Leonardo, focusing on Supportability strategy, technical governance and capability development.
What You Will Do As a Principal Supportability Engineer
- Lead the development and delivery of supportability and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) activities across complex programme.
- Define, manage and validate supportability requirements throughout the engineering lifecycle.
- Influence product and service design decisions to improve reliability, maintainability, availability and through-life support performance.
- Develop support concepts, maintenance strategies, provisioning approaches and through-life support solutions.
- Collaborate with customers, suppliers and multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver integrated support solutions.
- Support bids, proposals and business development activities providing specialist supportability expertise.
- Conduct and review Supportability Engineering analyses including: Reliability Analysis, Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), Maintainability Analysis, Maintenance Task Analysis, Level of Repair Analysis (LORA), Supportability Assessments
- Influence repair strategies and support solutions through the application of operational evidence, engineering judgement and best practice.
- Provide technical advice and recommendations to customers, project teams and engineering stakeholders on supportability risks, opportunities and trade-offs.
- Work collaboratively with Systems, Design, Safety, Reliability, Service Delivery and Repair Engineering teams to improve product support performance.
- Lead evidence-based analysis through trade studies and operational data assessment, producing technical reports, supportability assessments and recommendations that inform engineering, programme and business decisions.
- Mentor and coach engineers within the Supportability community, helping to develop capability and share knowledge across the wider team.
- Drive the development and continuous improvement of Supportability standards, processes, tools and best practice across the organisation.
- What You’ll Bring
- Degree in Engineering, Science or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
- Significant experience applying Supportability Engineering principles within defence, aerospace or another highly regulated environment.
- Experience analysing reliability, maintenance or operational performance data to identify trends and drive improvements.
- Practical experience performing Supportability Engineering analyses such as Reliability Analysis, FMECA, Maintainability Analysis and LORA.
- Understanding of reliability, maintainability, testability and through-life support principles and their application to operational systems.
- Experience planning and delivering engineering work packages while providing technical guidance to other engineers.
- Ability to provide complex technical advice and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary engineering teams and customer-facing environments.
- Understanding of life-cycle support, repair strategies and sustainment considerations for operational platforms.
Desirable Experience
- Experience supporting Fast Jet, Radar, Avionics or Mission Systems.
- Experience working within military operational support environments.
- Knowledge of Integrated Product Support (IPS) or Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) principles.
- Experience of support solution modelling or through-life cost analysis.
- Understanding of military airworthiness or certification frameworks.
- Chartered Engineer status, or working towards professional registration.
This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you do not have experience in every area.
The most important thing is a positive attitude, a willingness to learn and a passion for delivering engineering excellence.
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).
For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers. uk. leonardo. com/gb/en/security-and-vetting
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 Linked In 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 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.
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.
- Primary Location
- GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300
- Additional Locations
GB - Basildon, GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane, GB - Edinburgh, GB - Lincoln, GB - Newcastle, GB - Southampton
- Contract Type
- Permanent
- Hybrid Working
- Hybrid
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Principal Supportability Engineer employer: Leonardo
Leonardo in Southampton is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration among engineers. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills in cutting-edge technology while working on impactful defence and commercial projects. The Agile framework and emphasis on cross-platform development create a stimulating environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Supportability Engineer
✨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 Principal Supportability Engineer 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 Principal Supportability Engineer 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 Principal Supportability Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Principal Supportability Engineer, 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.
