Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialist

Job Description

Salary: £59,400- 68,500

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’s Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) programme represents one of the most significant next‑generation defence avionics developments in Europe. This is a rare career‑defining opportunity to step into a pivotal national technical leadership role, at the heart of a world‑class engineering organisation with decades of expertise.

Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialists are responsible for developing robust solutions and having broad experience across a number of the lifecycle phases and must be able to demonstrate a ’through life approach’ to manufacturing engineering. Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialist are expected to achieve objectives across longer term planning horizons and provide complex technical advice to both internal and external customers.

As a Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialist you will join the team to develop the operations manufacturing requirements of the future, taking innovative processes and equipment into account, enabling world class production of future Leonardo products.

This role will require travel to other sites such as Edinburgh, Basildon and Southampton, with an opportunity to work from home on occasion.

External Approvals (may include)

• Registration as a Chartered Engineer or other relevant Professional Body

• In depth understanding of manufacturing and test processes and principles

• Ability to influence and negotiate with others using data and analysis to support line of reasoning

• A detailed understanding of the operational framework and business processes

• An understanding of cross functional / commercial business processes and their own impact

• Demonstrated knowledge, and experience of multiple phases of the Product Life Cycle and the associated processes

• Experience of peer reviewing the work of others inside a product team and within a sub Engineering Unit and ensuring the resulting actions are implemented

• Ability to communicate concepts in a non-technical way

• Confidence and ability to challenge / respond to technical / process issues whilst understanding the broad impact of solutions (systems thinking)

• Ability to interact effectively and manage the relationships with customers and suppliers

• Been involved in capability and / or process development, demonstrating an ability to implement a change to working practices

• HND or above in an engineering related discipline

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, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

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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’re looking to grow professionally, care for your health, orplan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

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