Project Engineering Manager

Your impact

Step into one of the most ambitious defence programmes of a generation!

As a Project Engineering Manager within the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of international aerospace collaboration. Working at the centre of a complex tri‑national delivery enterprise, you will help unite teams, technologies and partner organisations behind a shared mission delivering the next generation of combat air capability.

This is more than programme delivery – it is an opportunity to influence how four leading international companies collaborate, innovate and engineer at scale.

In this high‑profile role, you will lead the technical delivery and development of the Integrated Sensing and Non‑Kinetic Effects and Integrated Communications System (ISANKE & ICS) domain consortium, driving engineering excellence across geographically dispersed teams in the UK and internationally. You will help establish the engineering strategies, governance frameworks and delivery processes that enable seamless collaboration between Leonardo UK, Leonardo Italy, Elettronica and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Melco).

You will also act as the technical focal point for national and international partnerships, ensuring engineering considerations are embedded into commercial agreements, bids and proposals, while creating an environment where collaboration and innovation thrive.

We are looking for a confident and influential engineering leader who can build trusted relationships across cultures, inspire teams through ambiguity and solve problems with a collaborative mindset. You will bring significant engineering management experience, ideally within large‑scale aerospace or electromechanical systems programmes involving embedded software, alongside a strong understanding of engineering lifecycle delivery from development through to manufacture and support.

• Ability to communicate with all levels of hierarchy and across cultures
• Have ability to influence and inspire trust in others
• Be able to work effectively even in the presence of uncertainty
• Be a proactive problem solver that seeks win‑win solutions
• Have significant engineering management experience, preferably on large‑scale delivery of electromechanical systems with embedded software for aerospace applications
• Have a breadth of engineering experience and a good understanding of engineering functions, projects and processes
• Have experience of all lifecycle phases, i.e. Development, Manufacture and Support

If you thrive in complex international environments, enjoy shaping strategy as much as delivery, and want to help define the future of combat air engineering, this is your opportunity to make a genuine global impact. The role can be based at any Leonardo UK site, with regular travel to our new Reading HQ and international partner locations. This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above.

The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

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, which 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 are looking to grow professionally, care for your health or plan for the future, we are here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge – 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 mental health support, financial advice and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity…