Solutions Architect (C-UAS)
// Role Summary
Join Leonardo's Mission Systems C-UAS Team as a Solutions Architect, shaping the strategic direction of world-leading Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems. This role offers a significant opportunity to enhance leadership and define future challenges in a critical national security domain.
// Key Responsibilities
- Define strategic direction and architectures for Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS).
- Lead technical solutions in bids and external studies for defence customers.
- Develop cost-effective and compliant system and software solutions.
- Experience in defence industry and sensor/effector systems is essential.
- Hybrid working with a primary site in Basildon.
- Competitive salary (£70k-£90k) and comprehensive benefits package.
// Role Specification
Solutions Architect - Mission Systems C-UAS
Leonardo UK is seeking a talented Solutions Architect to join our growing Mission Systems C-UAS Team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to world-leading solutions that address increasing global threats and support international government agencies in ensuring national security.
This role provides a significant platform to enhance leadership and strategic direction within the Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) domain. As a Solutions Architect, you will be instrumental in refining existing implementations and, crucially, defining the strategic direction and architectures to meet future challenges in the C-UAS solution space.
Your Impact
As a Solutions Architect, you will be responsible for:
- SI Enterprise Architecture design and identification of technical solutions & architectures.
- Providing technical leadership in bids and external studies.
- Defining scope and participating in Product Verification (PV) through to supporting Capability Management for product portfolios.
- Maintaining a high awareness of developments in C-UAS technologies and frameworks.
- Proposing and evaluating alternative technical and commercial approaches for delivering prime contract capability and systems.
- Maximising the value of Leonardo's workshare.
- Generating white papers to shape stakeholder thinking.
- Developing solution architectures for optimal cost-effectiveness and URD compliance.
- Creating a blend of systems and software solutions.
- Collaborating with Systems Architects and Systems Engineering to develop candidate system architectures and derive requirements at all system levels.
- Supporting the Bid Team with cost estimations for solutions.
- Performing cost-benefit analysis for system component development versus COTS procurement.
- Contributing to Enterprise Architectures for major campaigns and programmes.
About You
You will possess:
- Proven experience in a similar Solutions Architect role.
- High awareness of relevant C-UAS technologies and frameworks.
- Extensive experience in proposing and evaluating technical and commercial approaches for defence customers.
- Experience developing Sensor/Effector systems, including C2/GUI aspects.
- A good understanding of Open and Common Standards/Frameworks (e.g., SAPIENT, Land Data Model, GVA).
- The ability to develop white papers to influence stakeholder communities.
- Skills in leading cost/benefit analysis for system solution 'make or buy' decisions.
- Essential experience working within the defence industry.
- Essential experience working with customers/end-users at a senior commercial and technical level.
- Experience of full product and system development life cycle (concept to disposal).
- Experience estimating costs and technical risk for solution approaches.
- Familiarity with open systems architectures/frameworks such as SAPIENT, LDM.
- Experience with formal user requirements capture, traceability, and compliance management.
- Experience using tools such as DOORS, Cameo, The Mathworks is desirable.
- Significant experience developing sensor and effector products/systems, including C2/GUI aspects, specifically the integration of technologies.
We encourage applications even if you don't meet every criterion, as a positive attitude and willingness to learn are highly valued.
Security Clearance
Successful candidates will be UK nationals. This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Additional Personnel Security Controls (National Security Vetting - NSV) may apply, potentially including eligibility for Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).
Why Join Leonardo?
At Leonardo, our people are central to our success. 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 per 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-championing employee networks.
- Rewarding Performance: Bonus scheme eligibility for 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 (private healthcare, dental, tech discounts, gym memberships, etc.).
- Flexible Working: Flexible hours and hybrid working options.
Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security, employing over 53,000 people worldwide, including 8,500 in the UK. We are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace where diversity drives innovation and leads to better outcomes.
Apply now and be part of something bigger.
Primary Location: GB - Basildon
Contract Type: Permanent
Hybrid Working: Hybrid
Salary: £70,000 - £90,000 per annum