Leonardo
System Engineer - Land CEMA (All Levels)
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System Engineer - Land CEMA (All Levels)
System Engineer (Land Cyber & Electromagnetic Activities) – Defence Technology
Want to help shape the future of defence in the electromagnetic battlespace?
We are recruiting talented and motivated System Engineers (at all levels) to join Leonardo’s growing Land Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) business. In this role, you’ll contribute to pioneering defence capabilities for UK and export customers, while benefiting from flexible working arrangements that balance professional demands with personal wellbeing.
Your Impact
This exciting opportunity places you at the forefront of defence innovation, directly influencing next-generation systems that enhance operational effectiveness in complex, contested electromagnetic environments.
As part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, your key responsibilities include:
- Defining, developing, and delivering land-based defence systems, including:
- Land Electronic Warfare
- Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS)
- Counter-Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RC-IED) equipment
- Collaborating with customers, partners, and stakeholders across the full system lifecycle—from requirements definition to implementation, integration, verification, and in-service support.
- Applications of technical expertise to enable military advantage in the spectrum domain while ensuring secure protection of friendly forces.
Your work will contribute directly to the UK’s most advanced land-based defence solutions.
What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for candidates with:
- Proven experience as a Systems Engineer in a professional setting (or equivalent research-level experience).
- A relevant Honours degree in a science or engineering discipline (or comparable experience).
Desirable qualifications/experience include:
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- Systems Engineering fundamentals (problem definition, architecture, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), integration, verification & validation).
- Collaborative work with safety, security, and reliability experts to deliver highly robust solutions.
- Domain expertise in:
- Electronic warfare
- Counter IED / UAS solutions
- Software-defined radios (SDR) (Desirable)
- RF systems & software-defined radio experience (Desirable).
- Prime systems integration / system-of-systems experience (Desirable).
- Defence, military, or security-related programme background (Desirable).
- Cyber and electromagnetic activities knowledge (e.g., Open Standards STICS/Open CPI) (Desirable).
Note: This list is not exhaustive—attitude, adaptability, and willingness to learn are equally valued.
Security Clearance
Due to the nature of the role, pre-employment screening will be conducted under the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Additional national security checks may apply, potentially including:
- Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks
- Security Clearance options: The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) (eligibility criteria may apply)
For further details, visit: https //careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting
Salary Range: £45,000 – £81,000
Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework. Your exact salary will depend on your assessed grade and market benchmarks. There may be opportunities for additional rewards based on performance and internal equity governance.
Why Join Leonardo?
At Leonardo, People First means offering a supportive, enriching environment where your career progression and well-being are prioritised.
Benefits Include:
- Time to Recharge: Up to 4 weeks annual leave + flexi-days for discretionary use.
- Secure Your Future: Award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
- Your Wellbeing Matters:
- Access to mental health support and financial advice.
- Employee-led networks championing inclusion & diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Veterans, Carers, Wellbeing, Ethnicity).
- Rewarding Performance: Annual bonus scheme available (all levels eligible).
- Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera & LinkedIn Learning.
- Refer a Friend: Financial rewards through our referral programme.
- Tailored Perks: Up to £500 per year on flexible benefits (private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech discounts, gym memberships, and more).
- Flexible Working: Hybrid options available; discuss part-time arrangements where applicable.
- Additional perks including:
- Subsidised travel & commuting options.
- Health Screening Addersham membership programmes.
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For the full benefits package, visit our website.
About Leonardo
Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security, employing over 50,000 individuals, including 8,500 in the UK across 9 sites. Our engineers and technologists don’t just build systems—they innovate, defend, and protect against evolving threats worldwide.
We are deeply committed to building an inclusive, accessible workplace. Our diverse, talented team drives innovation and delivers measurable outcomes.
If you or someone you know has accessibility needs, please contact us during the recruitment process so we can support you appropriately.
Be part of something greater—apply now!
Primary Locations:
- Basildon
- Additional opportunities in Bristol, Coldharbour Lane & Southampton
Contract Type: Permanent Working Pattern: Hybrid
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