Principal Manufacturing Engineer- Digital

Principal Manufacturing Engineer – Digital

Salary: £53,269 - £60,000. Leonardo UK operates a grade‑based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Manufacturing Engineer – Digital to join our team on a hybrid‑working basis.

• Interface with IT, Cyber and Future Factory Digital Lifecycle team to support ongoing integration activities.
• Engage with LEDUK, national and international partners on smart tooling, automation and integration into MES / Common Data Environment (CDE).
• Support the development of Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Repair elements of the digital thread.
• Engagement with Future Factory in tool selection and development of digital twins (plant / process) and simulations.
• Supporting MES solution architects in aligning solution options for MES.
• Lead integration of MES elements of the Smart Workbench as the Future Proof of Concept Work in a highly skilled team, providing key inputs and data to aid Operations decisions.
• Tracking external developments and disruptive technologies to identify exploitation and knowledge sharing within the project team.
• Ensuring the development of connected manufacturing processes by studying product requirements; researching, designing, modifying, and testing manufacturing methods and equipment; understanding feedback from Leonardo operators, conferring with equipment vendors or external suppliers.
• Support Manufacturing Engineering authority in order to formally approve product / process / technology change.
• Advising and participating on improving policies and processes within the operations framework.
• Support the development of robust manufacturing information to aid decision making aligned to objectives and results.
• Contribute to improving manufacturing efficiency through the generation of innovative ideas and solutions.
• Review manufacturing documentation, can include input to process specific risk assessments, COSHH data, technical reports, specification.
• Assure product and process quality by designing methods; validation/verification of process capabilities; establishing standards; confirming manufacturing processes.
• Promoting a culture of best practice sharing and knowledge exploitation.
• Mentor, coach and develop more junior members of the team in order to develop overall capability.
• Providing domain experience in support of customer and user engagement and product road maps.
• Maintain product and company reputation by complying with government regulations.

• Minimum HND in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Experience working with manufacturing data systems, with a solid understanding of the underlying principles and structure of manufacturing software.
• Experience in supporting NPI Manufacturing Engineering Systems activities.
• Manufacturing systems & process knowledge including PLM, ERP, MES and QMS/BMS.
• Experience in early phases of the product/process development life cycle.
• Ability to influence and negotiate with others using data and analysis to support line of reasoning.
• A detailed understanding of the operational framework and business processes.
• An understanding of cross‑functional / commercial business processes and their own impact.
• Demonstrated knowledge, and experience of multiple phases of the Product Life Cycle and the associated processes.
• Experience of peer reviewing the work of others inside a product team and within a sub Engineering Unit and ensuring the resulting actions are implemented.
• Ability to communicate concepts in a non‑technical way.
• Confidence and ability to challenge / respond to technical / process issues whilst understanding the broad impact of solutions (systems thinking).
• Ability to interact effectively and manage relationships with customers and suppliers.
• Been involved in capability and / or process development, demonstrating an ability to implement a change to working practices.
• Proven…