Senior Systems Engineer

Job Description:

Your Impact

Stop studying the future and start building it. At Leonardo, you will help create the next generation of modular secure infrastructure from our purpose-built NIGHTSHADE manufacturing centre at our Yeovil facility.

NIGHTSHADE is designed to provide secure, resilient and deployable infrastructure solutions for defence and national security customers. As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will play a key role in defining product capability, translating customer needs into deliverable system solutions and ensuring the successful integration of multiple engineering disciplines into a coherent product.

This is an opportunity to work at the heart of a growing product team, influencing technical direction and engineering decisions from concept through to deployment. You will collaborate closely with mechanical, electronic and support teams to ensure NIGHTSHADE meets demanding operational, performance and security requirements.

Your work at Leonardo UK will contribute directly to solving complex customer challenges through innovative engineering solutions, whilst supporting the growth and evolution of a strategic product within our Cyber & Security Solutions Division.

This role is primarily based at our Yeovil facility to support close collaboration with the Design Office, manufacturing and support teams. Flexible and hybrid working options may be available where compatible with the needs of the role.

Leonardo UK is seeking an experienced Senior Systems Engineer to join the Cyber & Security Solutions Division team. This role is focused on the development, integration, qualification and evolution of NIGHTSHADE, the next generation of modular secure infrastructure.

What you will do as a Senior Systems Engineer

Lead the development and management of system architecture, requirements and design solutions for the NIGHTSHADE product.

Capture, analyse and manage customer, operational, legislative and technical requirements throughout the engineering lifecycle.

Develop system and subsystem requirements, ensuring effective decomposition, allocation and traceability across engineering disciplines.

Define and maintain system architectures, interfaces and functional behaviours to support delivery of customer capability.

Lead trade studies, system analysis and technical investigations to support evidence-based engineering decisions.

Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering activities to ensure successful integration of mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and infrastructure elements.

Define verification, validation and acceptance strategies, ensuring that compliance can be demonstrated through appropriate evidence.

Lead system integration, qualification and certification activities, supporting product acceptance and customer delivery.

Facilitate design reviews, technical reviews and stakeholder engagement activities throughout the product lifecycle.

Identify technical risks and opportunities, developing mitigation strategies and providing clear recommendations to project and engineering leadership.

Support product roadmaps and future capability development through the assessment of emerging technologies and customer requirements.

Provide technical leadership, coaching and guidance to engineers across the NIGHTSHADE team.

Produce and review high-quality engineering documentation, including requirements specifications, interface definitions, verification plans, architectural artefacts and technical reports.

Collaborate with manufacturing, service and support teams to ensure solutions are practical, supportable and deliverable.

What You'll Bring

We are looking for an experienced Systems Engineer with a strong technical foundation and the ability to lead the development of complex engineering solutions. You will be comfortable operating across the full engineering lifecycle, engaging stakeholders and influencing technical decisions within a multidisciplinary environment.

You will combine strong systems thinking with pragmatism and a collaborative approach, enabling you to balance customer needs, technical performance, cost, schedule and risk considerations.

A degree, degree apprenticeship or equivalent experience in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.

Experience applying systems engineering principles throughout the engineering lifecycle.

Experience developing, managing and maintaining requirements using structured systems engineering approaches.

Experience defining system architectures, interfaces and integration strategies for complex products or programmes.

Strong understanding of requirements management, verification, validation and compliance demonstration activities.

Ability to analyse technical information and make evidence-based recommendations to stakeholders.

Experience working effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Strong communication skills, with the ability to present technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Experience identifying and managing technical risk, assumptions, issues and dependencies.

Ability to balance technical excellence with practical delivery considerations.

Core Areas (Must Have)

Proven experience delivering systems engineering activities within a complex engineering environment.

Strong understanding of requirements definition, decomposition, traceability, verification and validation.

Experience developing system architectures and managing technical interfaces.

Ability to lead technical investigations and support informed engineering decision-making.

Experience working across multiple engineering disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.

Strong technical documentation and stakeholder communication skills.

Ability to provide technical leadership and mentoring to engineers and project teams.

Desirable

Experience with containerised infrastructure, modular systems or deployable facilities.

Experience working on secure communications, ICT infrastructure, networking or cyber-related products.

Knowledge of defence standards and regulated engineering environments.

Experience supporting system qualification, certification or acceptance activities.

Knowledge of environmental systems, power systems or infrastructure integration.

Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approaches and tools.

Chartered Engineer status, or working towards professional registration.

Experience engaging directly with customers, suppliers and external stakeholders.

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 attributes are sound judgement, constructive leadership and a willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

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: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

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.

Time to Recharge: Generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.

Secure your Future: Award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.

Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks.

Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.

Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annua