Lead Systems Engineer; DA Land CEMA

Job Overview

Leonardo is offering an opportunity for a Lead Systems Engineer/Design Authority to join the Crenic project team within our Land Cyber & Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) sector across the south of the UK. In this role you will provide technical oversight and expertise across the full engineering lifecycle, working with internal and supplier design teams to develop and deliver system solutions that meet customer, user, and business requirements.

• Provide technical oversight and expertise at all system solution levels.
• Work with internal and supplier design teams to develop and deliver architecture that meets customer, user and business requirements.
• Seek advice from SMEs, review, and advise on subsystem technical solutions.
• Support the System Design Authority (SDA) in ensuring designs are fit for purpose and comply with safety and security standards.
• Lead the architecture team to develop and document architecture throughout the project lifecycle.
• Influence requirements at all levels to facilitate design decisions and trade‑offs.
• Evaluate and recommend on technical risks and opportunities.
• Support test planning and requirements verification to achieve certification and delivery.
• Present architecture at internal and external design reviews.
• Act as a technical interface between the end customers and the Leonardo Engineering team.
• Support knowledge sharing and best practice exploitation.
• Mentor junior engineers.
• Travel within the UK to meet customers and partners.

• Degree (or equivalent) in a STEM subject with strong numerical, analytical and design skills.
• Strong understanding of system and project life cycles, technical and commercial baselines, and change control.
• Experience influencing system design and integration of large systems.
• Experience managing stakeholders internally and with customers in high‑pressure environments.
• Experience passing design reviews and implementing remedial actions with suppliers.
• Knowledge of military Force Protection Electronic Counter Measures (FPECM) systems (preferred).
• Understanding of systems integration and progressive assurance.
• Experience trading off solutions based on functionality, performance and cost.
• Chartered engineer or member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) (desirable).
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making ability in complex design projects.

The role requires pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC).

Salary range: £75,000 – £91,000.

Primary location:
Basildon, GB. Contract type:
Permanent. Hybrid working is available; part‑time arrangements can be discussed.

Leonardo is committed to building an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We support accessibility requirements during the recruitment process and recognize the value of a diverse workforce.