Project Engineering Lead

Job Description:

Salary £60,000 to £84,995

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.

Your Impact

Are you looking for an exciting and challenging opportunity to lead a skilled team in a time of significant growth in an AESA Radar sector, based in our Edinburgh site?

Leonardo is a global leader in defence electronics and delivers mission critical systems for situational awareness, electronic warfare and surveillance across land, sea and air. The Radar and Advanced Targeting line of business, based in Edinburgh, is uniquely positioned as one of the world's top manufacturers of radars, lasers and infrared countermeasure systems.

As a Project Engineering Lead (PEL) in the Radar and Advanced Targeting sector you will manage a multi-disciplined team tasked with the ongoing sustainment and improvement of AESA Radar Products. You will work closely with the Project Engineering Manager (PEM), Chief Engineer (CE) and Project Manager (PM) to provide leadership and delivery with this sector. You will report directly into the PEM for AESA Airborne Product Sustainment.

What you’ll bring

• It is anticipated that the successful candidate will have a first degree or higher qualification in Electronics or a related discipline. The following skills and experience are required:

• Proven experience of leading a team of multi-disciplined engineers and supporting functions across multiple projects and disciplines to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery to time and schedule.

• Strategic Planning and resourcing to meet business demands.

• Maintaining and continuously improving products and processes in conjunction with key stakeholders within the Business Area

• Manage the technical interface with subcontracted products.

• Engineering focal point for the AESA Radar Product Integrated Project Teams throughout the product lifecycle.

• Strong leadership competency whilst demonstrating team working skills.

• Knowledge of a typical Engineering lifecycle process and business processes

• A willingness to travel within the UK, and possibly overseas

• Familiarity with electronic systems design and operation

• Familiarity of Software, Hardware, Firmware and integration

• Delivery of accurate estimations in support of further orders

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.

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:

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. 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 each year.

• Secure your Future: Benefit from our 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 championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).

• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.

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

• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.

• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.

• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.

Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

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