Project Engineering Manager in Reading

Your impact Step into one of the most ambitious defence programmes of a generation!

As a Project Engineering Manager within the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of international aerospace collaboration. Working at the centre of a complex tri‑national delivery enterprise, you will help unite teams, technologies and partner organisations behind a shared mission delivering the next generation of combat air capability. This is more than programme delivery – it is an opportunity to influence how four leading international companies collaborate, innovate and engineer at scale.

In this high‑profile role, you will lead the technical delivery and development of the Integrated Sensing and Non‑Kinetic Effects and Integrated Communications System (ISANKE & ICS) domain consortium, driving engineering excellence across geographically dispersed teams in the UK and internationally. You will help establish the engineering strategies, governance frameworks and delivery processes that enable seamless collaboration between Leonardo UK, Leonardo Italy, Elettronica and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Melco). You will also act as the technical focal point for national and international partnerships, ensuring engineering considerations are embedded into commercial agreements, bids and proposals, while creating an environment where collaboration and innovation thrive.

What You’ll Bring

• We are looking for a confident and influential engineering leader who can build trusted relationships across cultures, inspire teams through ambiguity and solve problems with a collaborative mindset.
• You will bring significant engineering management experience, ideally within large‑scale aerospace or electromechanical systems programmes involving embedded software, alongside a strong understanding of engineering lifecycle delivery from development through to manufacture and support.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of hierarchy and across cultures.
• Have ability to influence and inspire trust in others.
• Be able to work effectively even in the presence of uncertainty.
• Be a proactive problem solver that seeks win‑win solutions.
• Have significant engineering management experience, preferably on large‑scale delivery of electromechanical systems with embedded software for aerospace applications.
• Have a breadth of engineering experience and a good understanding of engineering functions, projects and processes.
• Have experience of all lifecycle phases, i.e. Development, Manufacture and Support.

If you thrive in complex international environments, enjoy shaping strategy as much as delivery, and want to help define the future of combat air engineering, this is your opportunity to make a genuine global impact. The role can be based at any Leonardo UK site, with regular travel to our new Reading HQ and international partner locations.

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, which 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 are looking to grow professionally, care for your health or plan for the future, we are here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge – 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 – Reading

Contract Type Permanent Hybrid Working Onsite