Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialist

Job Description:

Your Impact

We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialist Lead to join us at Leonardo in Southampton. You will be part of the Integrated Sensing and Protection (ISP) line of business, which is a leader in delivering defence electronics, mission critical systems for situational awareness, electronic warfare, communications and surveillance across the land, air and sea domains.

In this role as a Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialist, you will have the opportunity to provide leadership and vision in the realm New Product Introduction (NPI). You will act as the focal point to support with the Airborne Communications Team part of ISP focused on identifying the manufacturing requirements and planning NPI operational activities for products across the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

In this role you will play a pivotal role in our manufacturing operations team supporting the business to develop and execute the; NPI / Repair strategies, derive requirements for DFX activities, ensuring efficient production processes, adherence to quality standards, and timely project completion.

NPI & Sustaining

• Through life approach to manufacturing engineering, during NPI defining & influencing key product KPI such as business winning (bid) budgets (e.g. NPI Budget and through life UPC)
• Providing specialist input including the application of specialist skills and knowledge into a project team to help ensure the delivery of a technically sound solution meeting all stakeholder requirements
• Lead failure investigations, aware of all the project issues, able to prioritise and championing the solutions and deliverables using known problem solving techniques (e.g. 8D)
• Tracking external developments and disruptive technologies to identify exploitation and knowledge sharing within the project team
• Ensuring the development manufacturing processes by studying product requirements; researching, designing, modifying, and testing manufacturing methods and equipment; understanding feedback from Leonardo operators, conferring with equipment vendors or external suppliers

What you’ll bring

• In depth understanding of manufacturing processes and principles
• Ability to influence and negotiate with others using data and analysis to support line of reasoning

Qualifications

• HND or above in an engineering related discipline

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: 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. 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.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

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