Systems Engineering Manager

Job Description:

At Leonardo, we solve real-world engineering challenges, designing and developing mission‑critical solutions that power some of the world’s most advanced defence and security systems.

Your work will contribute to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) – Future generation Multi‑Function Radio Frequency System (MRFS).

The GCAP MRFS Systems Engineering Manager (SEM) and Joint Systems Team (JST) Lead is responsible for leading the planning, execution, and governance of systems engineering activities within the GCAP C&A programme. This role works in close collaboration with the Chief Systems Engineer (CSE) and Project Engineering Manager (PEM) for Functional Delivery.

The SEM and JST Lead ensures systems engineering processes, tools, and people are effectively deployed to deliver a technically robust, verifiable, and certifiable radar system — on time, to cost, and in compliance with applicable standards, co‑ordinating across the partner Systems Engineering Teams to make sure shared milestones and KPIs are met.

We are looking for a candidate who has both a sound technical background and prior experience in a leadership position. The role will require a skilled leader and experienced systems engineer in order to ensure the IPT is supported and remain focused on delivery.

• Lead the MRFS systems engineering team within the programme — providing line management, mentoring, and development of systems engineers.
• Lead the National and International Joint Systems Engineering Teams within the GCAP C&A programme – providing team management, work package definition, management, co‑ordination and ensuring a productive and effective team including tri‑national partners where necessary.
• Define and maintain the Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP), ensuring alignment with company lifecycle and customer expectations.
• Allocate and manage systems engineering resources across work packages in line with the SEMP, coordinating priorities with the Chief Systems Engineer (CSE) and PEM.
• Ensure appropriate skills mix and competency levels within the GCAP C&A Systems team, supporting recruitment and training plans.
• Own the short‑ and long‑term planning of SE activities, developing and maintaining the Integrated Project Schedule and roadmap.
• Establish and maintain good lines of communications across the engineering team, with the Project Engineering Managers, Project Managers and Systems Engineering function.

• Own and continuously improve the systems engineering process framework for the programme.
• Support engineering design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.) and ongoing Maturity Based Reviews – ensuring the production of all required artefacts.
• Maintain configuration control of requirements, models, and verification evidence via tools such as CAMEO, DOORS and TCU.
• Oversee requirements management (capture, decomposition, traceability, and verification planning) and ensure alignment with the system baseline.
• In conjunction with the CSE, define and monitor metrics for systems engineering maturity, requirements stability, and verification coverage.

• Support the Chief Systems Engineers in translating customer and mission needs into system‑level requirements and architecture.
• Work closely with the Chief System Engineers to ensure project outputs meet the expected quality, schedule and budget.
• Provide support to the ITEA work package lead in the definition and planning of verification and validation activities, including integration and acceptance.
• Work with specialists (such as safety and security) to co‑ordinate their input to the main project.
• Contribute to risk management — identify, assess, and mitigate technical and programmatic risks within the SE domain.
• Provide accurate reporting of SE progress, risks, and issues into PEM & programme governance forums.
• Coordinate and engage with LUK functions to deliver the outputs from the JST including Joint International documents such as software architectures and LRI cardinal specifications.

• Provide technical oversight to all SE work, including reviews, direction and general problem…