Lead Project Manager

Job Description

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.

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.

Join Leonardo’s Mission Support product area—where advanced software, mission‑critical capability, and trusted delivery support UK and international military operations across Fast Jet, Fixed Wing, and Rotary platforms.

As a Lead Project Manager, you will lead the delivery of advanced software products that give armed forces the mission insight, planning power, and operational advantage they need to succeed.

This is a rare opportunity to influence a growing portfolio of software products at the forefront of avionic mission systems, delivering next‑generation advanced software tools to enhance Leonardo’s Electronic Warfare, Platform Protection and Sensing products—such as Brite Cloud, SEER/SAGE, Praetorian and European Common Radar—to support platforms including Wedgetail, A400M, Typhoon, NMH, and the Global Combat Aircraft Programme.

Operating at the centre of an Integrated Project Team (IPT), you will bring together engineering, commercial, procurement, capability and sales teams to successfully deliver software projects, shape strategy, secure new opportunities, and strengthen Leonardo’s position as a global leader in mission systems.

• Contribute to the long‑term vision and roadmap for Mission Support software products
• Drive key elements of the Integrated Business Plan (IBP), delivering financial and strategic goals
• Engage closely with customers and emerging market trends to guide future capability development

• Lead end‑to‑end delivery of multiple software development, enhancement and in‑service support projects
• Apply rigorous lifecycle management and governance across all software products
• Manage risk, issues, dependencies and cross‑portfolio interactions
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation across the Mission Support portfolio

• Provide mentoring, coaching and leadership to project managers within the team
• Foster an empowered, collaborative IPT culture built on trust, accountability and shared success

• Build and maintain strong relationships with a diverse and complex customer community
• Support bids, proposals and campaigns to secure future opportunities and increase PWIN
• Provide accurate, timely reporting to senior leadership on delivery performance, finances and portfolio status

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams or projects, ideally involving software‑intensive systems
• Strong background in complex engineering, software delivery or mission‑system environments
• Financial and commercial acumen, including forecasting, cost control and contract awareness
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Ability to manage risks, issues and interdependencies across multiple work streams
• Strategic thinking combined with disciplined delivery capability
• A proactive, positive, autonomous approach
• Commitment to fostering a collaborative, one‑team IPT culture

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,…