Software Quality Assurance Team Lead

Job Description

Leonardo is looking to recruit a Software Quality Assurance Team Lead
, based at its site in Luton. The role will directly support the Electronic Warfare Line of Business in a number of key programmes, ensuring quality is actively involved throughout the software development lifecycle.

Working across the Combat Air, IMS and S&PT Sectors, the position provides an independent assurance that projects are executed in accordance with defined processes and that agreed customer software quality requirements are realised in line with planned expectations.

The role at this level is capable of providing advice and guidance within existing systems and procedures. Role holders will manage their own work with limited supervision, resolve problems and queries, and manage others to achieve objectives. The holder may contribute to customer and vendor aspects, working within quality planning and participating in areas such as non-conformance, corrective action and continuous improvement as a specialist in these areas.

Along with leading and supporting others, this is also a hands‑on role where the Team Lead will be expected to be directly involved in supporting project activities.

• Identify and manage software specific risks, threats, and opportunities across projects, ensuring alignment with Programme Assurance Plans.
• Support Software QA’s to deliver quality outcomes in line with project milestones throughout the lifecycle.
• Lead quality system enhancements and initiatives that strengthen assurance and compliance.
• Coach, mentor and assess team members from a variety of backgrounds, supporting their personal and professional growth.
• Use collaborative leadership skills to inspire and support change at both individual and team levels.
• Work in conjunction with Procurement and Supplier Quality to create a specific Supplier Management Plan for software outsourcing activities.
• Assess the ability of current and prospective subcontracted companies to perform software development to required standards.
• Provide actionable insights through data reporting to internal and external stakeholders.
• Create and maintain software quality assurance plans in accordance with contractual conditions and company standards.
• Estimate software quality assurance resources as part of forward load management.
• Assess projects for compliance with software development plans and processes.
• Be fully aware and engaged with the IPT risks and opportunities.
• Review software plans, requirements, design, test specifications, and test results.
• Participate in software lifecycle reviews.
• Perform software audits and reviews and support external audits.
• Verify the release of deliverable software.

• Experience in a complex, high‑technology industry such as defence, electronics, or manufacturing.
• Knowledge and experience of software tools (e.g., Requirements management, Configuration Management, Test, Code Coverage and Static Analysis).
• Working knowledge of quality frameworks including AS9100, ISO
  9001, AQAP 2210, DO‑178C and associated continuous improvement tools.
• Hands‑on experience with quality tools like DOORS, Dimensions, SAP, Dev Ops.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate findings in a way that supports decision‑making.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across teams with different experiences, backgrounds, and roles.
• Ability to travel to customers, suppliers or other Leonardo sites if required.

• Further education and experience ideally in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing or experience in Defence Electronics or a similarly "complex" industry.
• Be able to demonstrate knowledge within the areas of AS9100 / ISO
  9001 and Continuous improvement.
• Knowledge and practical experience of software quality.
• Excellent communicator with good interpersonal skills and a collaborative working style across all functions of the business.
• Excellent time‑management and organisational skills facilitating prioritisation and running multiple tasks in parallel, against challenging time requirements.

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel…