Principal Systems Engineer

Job Description:

Are you an experienced Mission Data Programmer looking to advance your career within Electronic Warfare?

Leonardo has an exciting opportunity for a Senior/Principal Systems Engineer to join our Integrated Mission Solutions team at our modern Lincoln site. You’ll play a key role in designing and delivering Defensive Aid Mission Data—critical to enhancing aircraft survivability within the defence sector.

You’ll lead full lifecycle systems engineering activities, from requirements elicitation and detailed design through to test, verification, and acceptance. Working within an Agile development framework, you’ll collaborate closely with end-users and stakeholders to ensure mission data solutions meet complex operational needs.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and apply systems engineering best practices across the full lifecycle.
• Interpret radar emitter data and collaborate with EW specialists to refine requirements.
• Support MDS production, verification, and validation to demonstrate compliance.
• Produce technical documentation and present at engineering gate reviews.
• Act as a focal point for MDS process adherence and team development.
• Travel occasionally in the UK and overseas to engage with customers and partners.

What You’ll Bring

• Extensive experience in Operational MDS design and development.
• Strong understanding of Electronic Warfare Operational Support (EWOS) and RF signal propagation.
• Proven knowledge of passive/active EW sensor systems and emitter identification methods.
• Experience conducting engineering gate reviews and producing traceable test evidence.
• Familiarity with JEWOSC/MSC tool sets, data, and processes.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.

Desirable

• Experience with the Praetorian Defensive Aids Sub System.
• Familiarity with DOORS or similar requirements tools.
• Experience supporting military end-users or developing desktop software toolsets.

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), along with an additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV), including 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. Due to the nature of the work and its connections to UK Defence strategy, applicants must have five years UK Residency and hold a UK Passport.

Salary Range:

• £45,000 to £70,000

Where this vacancy is being recruited across more than one grade, the successful candidate will be appointed to a specific assessed grade, and the applicable salary range will be that associated with the grade of appointment.

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.

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 available. 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.

Primary Location:

GB - Lincoln

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Onsite