Leonardo
Head of Software Engineering (EW)
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Head of Software Engineering (EW)
Head of Software Engineering – Electronic Warfare (EW), Leonardo UK
Salary Range
£77,760 – £117,058
Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range reflects the approved grade band for this role or a narrower hiring range published within it, benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are governed by internal equity controls.
The Role
Within our Electronic Warfare (EW) line of business, we develop and deliver solutions that protect lives and enhance mission effectiveness. Our technology addresses threats in the Electromagnetic Spectrum, enabling operators with situational awareness and platform/crew protection capabilities span storage, sensors, data fusion, and effectors.
As Head of Software Engineering, you will:
- Lead a community of 180+ software engineers across Luton, Lincoln, and Bristol, driving the design, development, and delivery of high-impact software solutions
- Ensure timely performance across the capability and capacity of software development, including talent pipeline management
- Drive transformational improvements in estimation processes, project execution, and technology roadmaps
- Oversee software engineering process adoption, toolchain optimisation, and resource allocation
- Collaborate with engineering leadership and product architects, shaping long-term technical strategies
- Serve as the single point of process accountability, championing **innovation, compliance (standards such as RTCA/DO-178C, IEC61508, ISO26262), and scalable knowledge-sharing
- Manage cross-site engineering collaboration, ensuring seamless integration across embedded, avionics, and digital platforms
- Oversee budget control, security clearance management, legacy & security governance
Key Responsibilities
- Talent Development: Talent pipeline from recruitment, training, to career progression, including knowledge sharing
- Agile & Embedded Systems Excellence: Drive component architectures, DSP implementation, and model-driven engineering frameworks
- Governance & Compliance: Ensure process integrity (standards, laws, risk management) while balancing pragmatic tools and deliverables
- Strategic Leadership: Articulate software and procurement roadmaps, deliver cost-efficient solutions while maintaining technical flexibility for future capabilities
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Who We’re Looking For
Essential Qualifications
- Proven engineering/leadership in software-centric environments at managerial or director level
- Strategic mindset, with expertise in trade-off decisions (e.g. cost vs. performance, academia vs commercial)
- Strong technical leadership and relatability with engineering and product teams
- Clarity of communication—commanding authority while maintaining transparency and fostering collaboration
Preferred Experience
- Agile practices, embedded/avionic software development (including RTOS, systems-on-chip)
- Component architecture and model-driven engineering strategies
- Standards alignment (RTCA/DO-178C, IEC 61508, ISO 26262)
- Demonstrated track record in cross-site/offshore team leadership, especially in budget management and process harvesting
Non-Technical Essential
- Resilience, self-motivation, and ability to empower teams through shared leadership and accountability
- Passion for defence-industry innovation—enthusiastic adoption of new technologies and continuous learning
Accepting less than perfect CVs—what matters most is your attitude and our less-focused systematic improvement.
Rebuilding With
Inclusion & Diversity
Leonardo UK is committed to fostering an accessible, inclusive workplace. If you have any accessibility needs during recruitment, please advise early.
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Benefits
Work-Life Balance
✅ 12+ additional flexi-days annually
Earn & Save
✅ 15% employer pension contribution (one of the UK’s top-scheme providers)
Well-being Perks
💙 Free mental health support + EAP services 💙 Bespoke financial advice and employee-led networks (Pride, Equalize, Ethnic Groups, Armed Forces Carers)
Career Growth
🚀 Free access to 4K+ courses via Coursera, LinkedIn Learning 🚀 Encouraged referrals with financial incentives
Flexible Working
📅 Hybrid options as standard. Partial hours can be discussed.
**Refer for additional benefits via Leonardo UK Careers*
Security Clearance
This role adheres to UK baseline security standards. Successful completion of pre-employment vetting may require Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) for certain postings. For guidance, visit Leonardo’s Security Vetting Info.
Primary & Satellite Locations
- *Headquarters: Cap. Green 300, [London, GB](https:// postavenie.map.uk-legacy.clouduk.com/UK/GB-LTN/u/GSR/CG/CapGreen300/#t=~34deg-~0deg-)
- Additional Hubs: Coldharbour Lane in Bristol & engineering sites in Lincoln. Fully hybrid support available.
✅ Permanent, Avionics-Focused Role at the UK’s primary EW engineering sites
Join a legacy. Apply via: Leonardo Careers Portal Tag [a_grad_hunting_euro-protl] for swift interventions.
Leonardo empowers 8,500+ UK employees. Each is a shaper of innovation through #NAALB value
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