Chief Systems Engineer - Precision Guidance

Job Description:

Leonardo has an exciting opportunity within the Integrated Sensing and Protection (ISP) business for a Chief Systems Engineer operating within the Precision Guidance business area at our site in Basildon. Our work is exciting, challenging, and complex. With a diverse portfolio of technologies and projects at different stages of maturity, Precision Guidance requires strong Systems Engineering discipline to ensure we are doing the right activities at the right time.

Your role is to help the programme navigate this complexity and deliver high quality, integrated solutions.

• Influence the development, structure, and quality of engineering artefacts across the FC/ASW programme, ensuring coherence, consistency and technical integrity
• Act as the focal point for systems engineering governance, supporting Lifecycle Management (LCM), activities ensuring compliance with solid SE practices
• Provide expert coaching to ensure engineers fully understand the problem space, stakeholder needs, and system constraints across early and later lifecycle stages
• Ensure the appropriate level of concept development, modelling & simulation and architectural techniques to inform solution options and technical decisions
• Influence whole life design considerations relating to Safety, Security, Manufacture, Test, Supportability, Through Life Support in line with company processes
• Identify trends across the Business Area, capturing and sharing lessons learned to improve the quality and efficiency of future work
• Collaborate with your peers in similar roles across the team/UK to promote a culture of continual learning and improvement, acting as a change agent for systems engineering
• Identify trends, recurring challenges, and systemic inefficiencies across the area of focus, turning them into actionable improvements
• Act as a change agent, helping the organisation strengthen its Systems Engineering capability and adopt more connected, scalable engineering practices

We are looking for a systems thinker with:

• Experience applying Systems Engineering governance and LCM process
• A track record of delivering high quality engineering artefacts within Integrated Project Teams
• Experience in eliciting stakeholder expectations
• Experience in creating and defining architectures
• Experience in managing and collaborating with internal/external stakeholders
• Proven leadership and decision-making skills in a high complexity, dynamic environment at a senior level
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, proven ability to build trust and respect at different levels (An effective influencer)
• Motivation, tenacity and determination, with a desire to deliver beneficial outcomes
• Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering tools and methodologies
• Experience working on large scale Systems Integration programmes, managing cost, schedule and quality implications
• Domain experience any of the following specialisms: RF, Electronic Warfare, Electro-Optics, Air/Land/Sea sub-system
• Platform Integration, Sensor Fusion, AI/Machine Learning
• Practitioner level ability using Model Driven Engineering tool e.g. Cameo Systems Modeler, Matlab, Simulink, DOORS (classic)

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). For more information and guidance please visit:

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. 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.

• Time to Recharge:
  Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future:
  Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters:
  Free access to…