Lead Test Systems Engineer

Salary: £59, 400 to £84,955

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.

Are you motivated by delivering the best test capability possible in support of a range of military platforms both nationally and internationally?  Does the sound of Typhoon, Saab Gripen and other exciting avionic platforms interest you?

At Leonardo, we have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Lead Systems Test Engineer to join our team within the Customer Support and Service Solutions (CS3) Line of Business.

CS3 operates across the UK and overseas, supporting critical technologies and systems on Air, Land and Sea platforms, ensuring their readiness and availability to underpin national security.  We are proud to be the largest supplier of avionic support to the UK MoD and a trusted partner for our customers worldwide, providing innovative and invaluable support solutions.

A key element of these solutions is the provision of test capability and in this role you will be supporting the definition and delivery of technical strategies and solutions to ensure the range of test solutions meet current and future needs.

You will be responsible for applying specialist knowledge and experience to define and deliver appropriate technical solutions that meet the needs of our customers in support of their platforms in operation, both domestic and international.

The role will involve overseeing the test equipment that our customers are dependent upon – determining opportunities and risk mitigations, as well as managing the transfer of test equipment from production into support in line with engineering lifecycle processes. This equipment is often delivered as part of an ML2 (Maintenance Level 2) capability at regional diagnostic and repair centres at military bases and customer sites and under Part 145 regulations.

Reporting to the Head of Test Engineering CS3, this role requires close collaboration both within CS3, and with the other lines of business, to ensure alignment across project and business objectives. We are looking for someone who has experience of supporting Test Equipment in the Through Life Support phase of the product life cycle. You will be responsible for:

• Supporting and contributing to the delivery of strategies and priorities for CS3 test engineering

• Providing technical expertise and experience in the creation of technical test solutions and roadmaps that add value to both customer and CS3

• Working with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement effective test solutions that support the reduction of impact to platform availability whilst ensuring safe and compliant operation

• Interpretation of product roadmaps through collaboration with CS3 Programme Leads,  partner lines of business and Technology Leaders to develop programmes of investment and improvement  ensuring the capability of test equipment is maintained to end of service

• Maintaining a positive working relationship with stakeholders, including test delivery leads within each line of business and CS3 programme and engineering leads

• Collating and generating performance metrics and reports, highlighting opportunities and risks for test equipment

• Providing support to CS3 bid activity on opportunities to supply ML1, ML2 and ML3 test capability and support solutions to customers both domestic and international.

• Representing CS3 test engineering at sector reviews and project performance reviews as required

• Experience of delivering test solutions for highly complex and technically challenging products, preferably in the defence electronics sector.  Knowledge of RF, Optical or Laser test technology is desirable

• In-service knowledge and operation of a multi-contractual support environment

• Proven technical expertise in the field of test capability in the support phase of the product lifecycle

• Experience across engineering lifecycles, with an emphasis on test engineering and associated planning and governance activities for successful delivery outcomes

• Ability to understand the bigger picture and solve complex problems

• Enthusiastic and self-motivated with a strong ability to foster and develop effective working relationships with both external and internal stakeholders at varying levels of seniority

• Awareness of statutory and regulatory compliance requirements within the defence avionics industry

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