Leonardo
Solution Architect - Land CEMA
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Solutions Architect – Land CEMA (CEMA/Defence Communications) – Leonardo
Are you a Solutions Architect passionate about contributing to the UK’s Defence Industry and driving impactful change? Leonardo is seeking an experienced professional with a specialised background in Defence Communications or Cyber & Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) to shape the future of strategic solutions for defence technology.
This hybrid role, based in Southampton, Basildon, or Bristol, offers a unique opportunity to influence and deliver high-impact business objectives, ensuring resilient, modular, and scalable solutions for UK and international defence needs.
Your Impact
As a Solutions Architect, you will play a key role in shaping Land CEMA portfolios, delivering technological advancements, and supporting strategic business development. Your responsibilities include:
- Designing and refining organic enterprise architecture (EA) for next-generation defence technologies through demand capture.
- Developing and analysing technical solutions aligned with LCA (STICS) and Defence standards, ensuring system-level interoperability and scalability.
- Leading technical bid efforts by proposing scalable, modular architectures tailoring solutions to operational needs.
- Collaborating across disciplines, mid-market partners, and customers to define and articulate clear solution narratives.
- Evolving a technical and commercial strategy by evaluating trade-offs between bespoke development and Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) integration.
- Architecting CEMA capabilities at enterprise and system levels, enhancing interoperability, security, and operational resilience.
- Influencing digital investment decisions through requirements analysis and whitepaper development.
- Representing Leonardo internationally via strategic partnerships and B2B engagements.
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What You’ll Bring
Leonardo is seeking a Solutions Architect (or equivalent) with a wealth of expertise in Defence, CEMA, or Electronic Warfare systems solutions.
Core Requirements
✔ A degree (or equivalent experience) in STEM with analytical and design skills applicable to defence challenges.
✔ Significant experience in designing mission system architectures (comms, EW, CEMA) across the full lifecycle: concept development to disposal, and business case preparation.
✔ Experience managing high-stakes customer engagements, including senior commercial and technical discussions.
✔ Proficiency in managing stakeholders, cost estimation, and dynamic risk assessment.
✔ Systems engineering and documentation experience, characterised by traceability, compliance, and MIL-spec documentation.
✔ Deep understanding of open architecture standards (Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA), LCA, OpenVPX, MORA, VITA) and legacy/evolving capabilities.
✔ Hands-on familiarity with tools such as Cameo, Rhapsody, System Architect, and The MathWorks.
✔ Knowledge of military C2 command and control architectures across land and maritime operating environments.
✔ Prior participation in tender/valuation support activities or competitive bid engagements.
Core Attributes
🔹 Ability to translate unclear or ambiguous requirements into actionable roadmaps for engineers and stakeholders. 🔹 Strong problem-solving and innovation drive, with a hunger for continuous improvement. 🔹 Strategic mindset, balancing short-term objectives with long-term vision. 🔹 People leader skills—empowers and motivates teams, influences diverse perspectives, and presents complex topics to stakeholders. 🔹 Multidisciplinary collaboration expertise, thriving in fast-moving environments.
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The above requirements are guidelines—if in doubt, highlight any closely related experience or enhanced transferable skills.
Why Join Us?
Leonardo offers a comprehensive benefits package, driving both personal and professional development while prioritising wellbeing.
💼 Salary: £67,000 - £97,500, based on grade eligibility and market benchmarking. 🆗 Working arrangements: Hybrid model with flexible hours (part-time discussions encouraged). 🎯 Time to Recharge:
- Generous paid leave + up to 12 flexi-days per year.
- Supportive pension scheme (with potentially up to 15% employer contribution).
- Financial wellbeing, career mentorship, and discounts via the £500/year flexible benefit scheme.
🌍 Globa Vision: Leonardo specialises in Aerospace, Defence, and Security, shaping innovation through agile partnerships and advanced technologies.
🌐 Inclusivity & Accessibility We are dedicated to fostering an equitable, supportive workplace. If you require adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Next Steps
Location(s): GB – Basildon (Primary), + Bristol/Coldharbour Lane | Northampton | Southampton. Type: Permanent Position Want to contribute to something as transformative as the future of defence technology? Apply now!
For further details, visit Leonardo UK Security Vetting guidelines.
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