Principal Quality Engineer

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

4/2/2025

Job Description

At Leonardo, we are at the forefront of aerospace, defence, and security technologies. As a leading innovator in radar systems, we are excited to offer an opportunity for a Principal Quality Engineer within our ECRS MK2 Radar Quality Assurance Team in Edinburgh. This role presents an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic team, contribute to the growth of our Edinburgh operations, and be part of delivering cutting-edge radar solutions to our customers.

What You’ll Do As a Principal Quality Engineer

As a Principal Quality Engineer, your primary focus will be to ensure the effective delivery of quality assurance processes, managing risks, and resolving non-conformance issues, while supporting programme objectives and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Your key responsibilities will include

• Risk, Threat & Opportunity Management Collaborate with Programme and Project Managers to identify and manage specific risks, threats, and opportunities, ensuring alignment with the Project Assurance Plans (PAP).
• Project Assurance Plans (PAP) Develop and maintain PAPs that define project assurance activities, aligned with risk, opportunity, and improvement within the programme, in compliance with the Operational Framework.
• Non-Conformance & Failure Leadership Lead the resolution of non-conformance and failure instances on behalf of the IPT, ensuring that root causes are identified and appropriate corrective actions are implemented.
• Team Guidance & Leadership Provide guidance to the Assurance Team to ensure that all programme and IPT objectives are met. Mentor and coach team members to foster quality excellence within the Quality Team and IPT.
• Continuous Improvement Contribute to the development and execution of assurance function improvement plans across all stages of the Programme, Product, and Project Lifecycles.
• Reporting & Data Management Deliver comprehensive reports and relevant data to the Project Assurance Manager, Quality Manager, and Project Managers to track quality assurance activities and progress.
• Deputise for Senior Leadership As required, deputise for the Quality Team Leader and Project Assurance Manager, ensuring continuity in leadership and support for ongoing projects.
  
  

What We Need From You

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Educational Background Ideally a Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related field. Experience in Defence Electronics or a similarly complex industry is highly desirable.
• Quality Governance Expertise Proven knowledge of governance frameworks, particularly AS9100, ISO9001, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Quality Tools Proficiency Strong experience with quality tools such as Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA), Pattern Fault Lifecycle, Process Mapping, Verification, and First Article Inspection.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills Ability to analyze complex data and derive practical solutions that support business goals, presenting them in a clear and actionable manner.
• Collaboration & Communication Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple teams and communicate clearly with stakeholders at all levels.
• Stakeholder Management Demonstrated experience in working with diverse stakeholders, including customers and suppliers, to ensure alignment with quality requirements.
• Team Leadership Experience working within high-functioning quality teams, with the ability to mentor, coach, and develop team members to achieve excellence.
  
  

Security Clearance

You must be eligible for full security clearance. For more information and guidance please visit https //www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Life at Leonardo

With a company funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.

• Flexible Working Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us
• Company funded flexible benefits We offer award-winning flexible benefits plan, having won the Best Flexible Working Policy Award, Best Flexible Benefits Strategy and Best Flexible Benefits Plan in 2023. These include; access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance)
• Holidays 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year
• Pension Award winning pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution)
• Wellbeing Employee Assistance Programme, access to Mental Health support, Financial wellbeing support, network groups (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Reservists, Carers)
• Lifestyle Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme
• Training Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera
• Referral Incentive You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member
• Bonus Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below
  
  

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

Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 7,000 are based in the UK.

At Leonardo UK, we believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment unlocks our people’s full potential and drives innovation and creativity. We work hard to offer a welcoming, accessible and inclusive place to work for all of our people, creating a culture where everyone can thrive, feel safe and have a sense of belonging and connection.

This is a great opportunity to bring your talents and form an integral part of Leonardo’s future. We can help you develop your skills and offer great opportunities to develop and grow, so why not join us.

Primary Location

GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type

Employee-Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid