Principal Configuration & Control Engineer

Contribute to the next generation of defence capability.

Contribute to the next generation of defence capability.

As Principal Configuration and Change Control Engineer, you'll be the technical authority driving configuration excellence across complex defence programmes. Working closely with the Lead Configuration Engineer, you'll provide leadership, governance, and assurance, ensuring robust configuration and change control practices are embedded throughout the product lifecycle. You'll advocate best practice and ensure programmes adhere to contractual, regulatory, and business requirements.

Please note that the role is hybrid (a minimum of 3 days per week on site, 2 days per week working from home) can be based out of either our Luton or Bristol site.

• Provide expert guidance on configuration risks, non-conformances, concessions, waivers, and change impacts.
• Offer oversight of Configuration Items, baselines, structures, and lifecycle configuration strategies.
• Assure the quality and compliance of Configuration Management Plans, ensuring alignment with contractual, regulatory, and business requirements.
• Lead governance and assurance of change control activities, supporting key review boards and complex change decisions.
• Drive the effective use of configuration management tools, processes, and data, ensuring a single source of truth across programmes.
• Lead and support configuration audits, compliance assessments, and assurance activities with customers and regulatory bodies.
• Deliver configuration metrics, risk assessments, and insights to support programme and engineering decision-making.
• Mentor and develop Configuration Engineers, promoting continuous improvement and capability growth across the discipline.
• Act as a trusted advisor to engineering, programme, quality, safety, and leadership teams.

What you’ll bring:

• Extensive experience in configuration and change control within defence, aerospace, or similarly regulated industries.
• Demonstrated authority in configuration governance, baseline management, and change control.
• Good experience assuring and reviewing Configuration Management Plans.
• Advanced user and subject-matter expert in TCU.
• Proven experience supporting regulatory, customer, and internal audits.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and provide authoritative technical direction.
• Experience working with classified and export-controlled information.

• Experience across multiple programme phases (development, production, in-service).
• Knowledge of airworthiness, safety-critical systems, or certification frameworks.
• Familiarity with other PLM/CM tools (e.g. Windchill, Teamcenter, Dimensions).
• Experience defining organisational CM policy or frameworks.

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). For more information and guidance please visit:

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, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge:
  Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to…