Lead Systems Engineer

About the Role

Are you an experienced Systems Engineer passionate about contributing to the international Defence Industry and making a significant impact? Leonardo UK is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to drive the technical delivery of a complex, in-service Communications Systems. This role is based at our Basildon site and offers the opportunity to work on real engineering problems, shaping solutions that are critical to operational capability.

As the Lead Systems Engineer, you will serve as the project team's Design Authority for the system. You will provide leadership across all Systems Engineering activities and act as the primary technical interface with stakeholders. Your responsibilities will include supporting the definition, refinement, and delivery of technical solutions, ensuring the system meets evolving operational needs throughout its lifecycle.

Your Impact

You will provide direction, guidance, and technical authority to ensure:

• Customer requirements are fully understood, refined, decomposed, and traced into system solutions.
• The system architecture is clearly defined, controlled, and maintained.
• Technical proposals and design decisions are robust, justified, and aligned with customer expectations.
• System integration across software, RF, and hardware elements is coherent and well-managed.
• Verification and validation activities demonstrate compliance with operational needs.

Day-to-Day Duties

• Act as the IPT's Design Authority for the HF communications system, owning key technical decisions.
• Serve as the technical point of contact for the customer, leading and contributing to frequent technical meetings and reviews.
• Lead the effort in eliciting, defining, refining, and decomposing customer requirements.
• Define, refine, and maintain system architectures and interface definitions.
• Provide technical input into bids, proposals, and change activities.
• Work across a demanding and complex area of the business, supporting in-service capability and future development.
• Collaborate with software, RF, hardware, and test teams to ensure end-to-end system coherence.
• Undertake hands-on technical activity where required, including configuring reference systems for test and demonstration.
• Support and deliver verification, validation, and acceptance activities across the lifecycle.
• Ensure through-life considerations such as safety, security, supportability, and obsolescence are addressed in line with company processes.

What You'll Bring

To be successful in this role, you will have proven experience as a Lead Systems Engineer (or a role with similar responsibilities) with the following attributes:

• Strong experience applying Systems Engineering across the full lifecycle.
• Experience acting as a technical authority or owning system architectures.
• Experience in eliciting, refining, and decomposing customer requirements.
• Experience defining and evaluating technical solutions and proposals.
• A working understanding of software development and its integration within complex systems.
• Experience working closely with internal and external stakeholders, including customers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly.
• The confidence to make technical decisions in a complex, dynamic environment.
• Motivation, tenacity, and a strong sense of technical ownership.

Desirable Experience/Skills

• Knowledge or experience of HF communications systems.
• Some level of RF engineering understanding.
• Experience working on in-service or operational defence systems.
• Experience with Systems Integration, Test, and Demonstration activities.
• Domain experience in Telecommunications, RF, IP Networking, or related areas.
• Experience working on large-scale Systems Integration programmes, having managed issues associated with cost, schedule, & quality implications.

We are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above; a good attitude and willingness to learn are most important.

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).

Salary Range

Lead Engineer: £67,000 - £81,000 per annum

Why Join Us?

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, career development, and work-life balance.

• Time to Recharge: Generous leave with up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and inclusion-focused employee networks.
• Rewarding Performance: Eligible for our bonus scheme (management level and below).
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Up to £500 annually for flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, and gym memberships.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security, committed to building an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We believe a diverse workforce sparks creativity and drives innovation.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!