At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team on exciting aerospace projects.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in defence and aerospace innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Access to 4,000+ online courses and a supportive, inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the aerospace industry while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering and experience managing engineering teams required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Your Impact
Leonardo has an exciting opportunity for Project Engineering Leads based at our Southampton Site on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). We are looking for a Project Engineering Lead (PEL) to join the engineering team on a permanent basis to lead parts of the Airborne Communication system on this project. This role will lead and manage a multi-disciplinary engineering team to deliver the project.
Project Engineering Leads are responsible for the total engineering activity undertaken on a project or portfolio of projects and so manage cross-disciplined engineering teams. The Project Engineering Lead is tasked to ensure that the engineering team delivers a solution that is compliant with the customer technical requirements; Working closely with Project Managers and Project Engineering Manager and Chief Engineer, the Project Engineering Lead must effectively plan and manage the engineering effort within projects from a performance, schedule and cost perspective.
Reporting to a Project Engineering Manager, the Project Engineering Lead contributes to the monthly engineering governance cycle through preparation of engineering status reports. Project Engineering Leads build strong relationships with Engineering Functional Leads to ensure the resourcing plans for their projects are realistic and any issues arising are resolved swiftly. Project Engineering Leads also play a key role in business winning activities, coordinating the collection of engineering costs, preparation of engineering plans and holding engineering bid reviews. The ability to foster and develop effective working relationships is key to ensure engineers perform to the levels required of the projects. A strong product design, commercial and business awareness is also essential to ensure that the engineering effort can be managed in the correct context for each given project.
Project Engineering Leads are responsible for the management of a multi-disciplined engineering team across multiple projects. Working closely with project managers and project engineering managers, they are responsible for delivery of the overall engineering output against time, cost and performance budgets. Project Engineering Leads are responsible for generating clear and relevant engineering plans, establishing key milestones and identifying risks, opportunities and interdependencies.
Project Engineering Leads are responsible for reviewing the current engineering positions on projects, and adapting plans as required to mitigate risks to either cost, schedule or performance budgets. Project Engineering Leads are responsible for preparation and communication of monthly engineering status reports for each of their assigned projects into their line manager, the Head of Engineering Projects. Project Engineering Leads are responsible for the coordination of engineering input into bids as part of the business winning process. Project Engineering Leads form part of the multi-functional management team for their IPT and may be required to represent engineering on that team at weekly and monthly progress and reporting meetings.
Educated to a degree level in an engineering or related science based subject (essential).
- Previous experience of managing and/or leading multi-disciplined engineering teams, taking responsibility for schedule and budget (essential).
- Strong understanding and proven track record of engineering lifecycles and processes (essential).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (essential).
- Experience of working on the development of hardware electronics, firmware, mechanical and software based products (Essential).
- Experience of working on the development of communications systems (Highly Desirable).
- Experience of collaborating with external partners for a development (sharing of models, code etc) (Desirable).
- Experience of working within the defence or aerospace industry (desirable).
Security Clearance: This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government's Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).
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.
- 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: Hybrid
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Engineering Team Lead in Southampton
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Leonardo for a Project Engineering Team Lead. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Engineering Team Lead in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Leonardo, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Leonardo, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Leonardo.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Leonardo. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Leonardo love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
