GCAP Lead Systems Engineer

Job Description

Salary: £59,500 to £75,000

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.

The Lead Systems Engineer is responsible for the technical leadership, planning, and execution of systems engineering activities across a programme or major project. The role ensures that customer and stakeholder needs are translated into a coherent, balanced and verifiable system solution that is can be delivered to time, cost, and quality. This role works closely with the Systems Engineering Manager (SEM) for Functional Delivery.

Working closely with the SEM and other internal stakeholders, the Lead System Engineer ensures systems engineering processes, tools, and governance are effectively applied throughout the lifecycle to deliver a technically robust, verifiable, and certifiable radar system in compliance with applicable standards, and in accordance with agreed project milestones and KPIs.

• Provide overall technical leadership for systems engineering activities across the assigned scope of your project.
• Lead the model-based systems engineering activities across the GCAP IPT, instilling good practice and improving tool knowledge and application across the systems engineering team.
• As part of the international Joint Systems Team, become the MBSE point of contact with the international working groups.

• 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. Administration of MBSE and account management.
• In conjunction with the Chief System Engineer and Systems Engineering Manager, define and monitor metrics for systems engineering maturity, requirements stability, and verification coverage.

• Ensure project outputs meet the expected quality, schedule and budget.
• Provide support to 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.

• Interface closely with:
  • Chief Systems Engineer / Systems Architects - to align on architecture, interfaces, and performance budgets.
  • Software, Firmware, Test Equipment, Hardware and Safety Leads - to ensure coherent system definition and integration.

• Strong experience in systems engineering across the full lifecycle.
• Knowledge of MBSE approaches and tools (e.g. SysML, Cameo, DOORS).
• Proven capability leading system definition, requirements, and verification.
• Experience working in complex, multidisciplinary engineering environments.
• Ability to communicate complex technical issues clearly to varied stakeholders.
• Experience of design reviews, trade studies, and technical governance.

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 accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days…