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 SPT Sectors, providing an independent assurance that projects be executed in accordance with defined process and that agreed customer software quality requirements are realised in line with planned customer 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 and resolve problems and queries, while managing 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.

As a Software Quality Assurance Team Lead, you will play a key role in ensuring high standards of quality and compliance across our cutting‑edge projects. You’ll collaborate with cross‑functional teams, bring a proactive approach to managing risk, and champion continuous improvement. Your leadership will help shape not just project outcomes but also team culture.

• 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 the Procurement and Supplier Quality in the creation of 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.

• Creation and maintenance of software quality assurance plans in accordance with contractual conditions and company standards.
• Estimating software quality assurance resources as part of forward load management.
• Assessing projects for compliance with software development plans and processes.
• Be fully aware and engaged with the IPT risks and opportunities.
• Reviewing software plans, requirements, design, test specifications, and test results.
• Participating in software lifecycle reviews.
• Performing software audits and reviews and supporting external audits.
• Verifying 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‑178
  
  C. 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 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.
• Excell…