Hardware Design Authority

Job Description

The role of Hardware Design Authority is responsible for the delivery of high‑performance self‑protection systems installed on fast jet, UAV, land and naval platforms.

Lead: £60k - £84k

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.

Where this vacancy is being recruited across more than one grade, the successful candidate will be appointed to a specific assessed grade, and the applicable salary range will be that associated with the grade of appointment.

Leonardo offers additional allowances for some roles – for more information please contact

You will work closely with various IPTs (Integrated Project Team) and Programme Design Authorities to ensure a smooth Hardware Delivery programme consistent with Leonardo’s internal Hardware processes. This would include Qualification, support to production deliveries as well as Repairs and support.

This role would be suited to Electronics Engineers experienced at a high level who enjoy collaborating in multi‑disciplinary teams with experience of the full product development lifecycle. They will be technically responsible for the Hardware Architecture within a growing and exciting project.

• Within the IPT you will have a detailed understanding of the electronic architecture of equipment and will interface closely with other functional areas such as Systems, Mechanical, Firmware to ensure the Hardware architecture meets internal processes and controls for Leonardo’s Through product life‑cycle
• Support Qualification activities, Design Changes and Obsolescence cycles
• You will be responsible for understanding the technical elements of the Hardware implementation.
• Strong communication skills are essential as you will be working within an international multi‑partner team. The ability to negotiate and influence others is an essential pre‑requisite, ensuring that focus remains on ‘the bigger picture’.
• Fully documenting and recording your work products; keeping them under configuration management, and providing plans and progress reports
• Working within a multi‑disciplined team of engineers to resolve technical issues
• Support to IPTs, to attend project update meetings and be able to communicate and work within those teams with good interpersonal skills.
• Produce reports where necessary and work to Leonardo test and design procedures.

• Production Life cycle management
• Requirements understanding and detailed technical knowledge of the Hardware Architecture
• Detailed knowledge of test and integration over a wide selection of different electronic products
• Support to the various Sectors within Leonardo with guidance and direction to identify, mitigate or resolve technical issues within projects.
• Working within a multi‑discipline team to solve system design challenges.

• Thorough understanding of overall system / sub‑system function and key performance drivers.
• Awareness / understanding of broad technical areas such as Electronics hardware, software, firmware, power, integration, RF, safety.
• Understanding of how an overall product comes together from all stages. Ideally should have taken a product through the full Engineering life cycle.
• Experience in testing RF and Microwave Designs as well as integrated Digital and High‑Speed products.
• Provide experienced guidance/coaching to other members of the discipline to promoting a culture of best practice sharing and knowledge exploitation across the function.
• Be able to understand and manage technical risks.

• Experience with in the defence industry
• Working within Airborne Platforms
• Safety critical systems

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…