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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal / Lead Systems Engineer - **Company:** Leonardo UK - **Location:** Basildon, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, MATLAB, Software Tools, Simulink, Verification and Validation (Software), Model-Driven Development, Modeling and Simulation - **Published:** August 7, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.totaljobs.com/job/lead-systems-engineer/leonardo-uk-ltd-job107809323 ## About the Role You will have proven experience as a Lead or Principal Engineer (or role with similar responsibilities), with the following attributes: * Experience in applying governance and guidance on Systems Engineering LCM process * Experience working in Integrated Project Teams delivering Engineering artefacts successfully * Experience in managing and collaborating with internal/external stakeholders * Proven leadership and decision-making skills in a high complexity, dynamic environment * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, proven ability to build trust and respect at different levels * Motivation, tenacity and determination, with a desire to deliver outputs and results The following experience/skills are very desirable; * Experience in deriving Stakeholder Needs to Solution Domain Functions and Constraints - evidencing trade off decisions across multiple concepts. * Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Model Based Design (MBD) tools and methodologies to support describing and analysing through the problem to implementation domains * Domain experience any of the following specialisms; Electro-Optics, Infrared Imaging, Image Processing * Experience in using a requirement management tool to manage relationships of requirement and other project artefacts - E.g. Practitioner level ability using DOORS (classic) The following experience/skills are desirable; * Experience in creating and defining architectures - able to describe methods and techniques for optimization and managing the trade-offs from constraints * Domain experience any of the following specialisms; Telecommunications, RF, Electronic Warfare * Practitioner level ability using Model Driven Engineering tools e.g. Cameo Systems Modeler, Matlab, Simulink 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. ## Description Are you a Systems Engineer who loves contributing to the UKs Defence Industry and making impactful change? We are recruiting for a Lead/Principal Systems Engineer in our growing Precision Guidance team, working on real engineering problems, designing and developing solutions that sit at the heart of our products. As the Principal Systems Engineer you will support the execution of Systems Engineering project activities, support acc . You will support Systems Engineering capability and improvement matters across the Business Areas, providing proactive guidance to senior stakeholders on Systems Thinking and Methods for adoption that aligns with successful project execution. What we build is exciting, interesting, challenging and complex. A diverse product portfolio of technologies, with each programme at a different stage in its development lifecycle. The focus of this role is the execution of systems engineering activities, and in supporting & providing expertise to ensure: * Our systems engineering team assess the problem completely * Our teams reuse techniques and artefacts across the portfolio of projects * Our teams manage complexity through architecting our systems well * Our teams predict and mitigate emergent behaviours when operating at a system or integrated systems level * Our projects create and enact the correct verification and validation strategy To be successful you will be demonstrate passion for your trade by instilling a systems-thinking approach based on experience forming and leading high performing teams. You will be able to influence those you work with, thrive in dynamic environments, demonstrate resilience when faced with adversity and able to make decisions quickly under pressure and setting a clear technical vision for the project team. Given the extensive people engagement nature of the work we are still able to offer custom working that allows for a combination of home and on-site working i.e. flexible working delivering effective results. Day to day duties include; * Influence the development of Engineering artefacts, their technical direction and ultimately stakeholder satisfaction * You will work across a highly demanding and complex area of the business, immersed in full-scale development programmes spanning the breadth of the engineering lifecycle across Precision Guidance * Act as the focal point for systems engineering governance on the project * Provide expertise and guidance to ensure our engineers understand the problem completely and stakeholder needs through effective coaching on Systems Engineering practices (early and later lifecycle stages) * Ensure the appropriate level of concepting, modelling and simulation techniques are used across the lifecycle to inform architectures and solution options * Influence whole life design considerations relating to Safety, Security, Manufacture, Test, Supportability, Through Life Support in line with company processes * Represent Leonardo within Systems Engineering bodies and groups of interest, such as INCOSE * Promote an agile mind-set to systems engineering, building a culture of experimentation and failing fast * Collaborate with your peers in similar roles across the UK to promote a culture of continual learning and improvement, acting as a change agent for systems engineering ## Related Videos - [Building a hypercar from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/607-building-a-hypercar-from-scratch) - [Leveraging Large Language Models for Legacy Code Translation: Challenges and Solutions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1157-leveraging-large-language-models-for-legacy-code-translation-challenges-and-solutions) - [ Secure Code Superstars: Empowering Developers and Surpassing Security Challenges Together](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/422-secure-code-superstars-empowering-developers-and-surpassing-security-challenges-together) - [Model Based Systems Engineering in an Agile Product Development Process](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/68-model-based-systems-engineering-in-an-agile-product-development-process) - [Software stack under and over the hood of the fastest accelerating car in the world](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/221-software-stack-under-and-over-the-hood-of-the-fastest-accelerating-car-in-the-world) - [The Intent Engineer: Closing the Gap Between Business & Engineering - Manuel Klein](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1855-the-intent-engineer-closing-the-gap-between-business-engineering-manuel-klein) ## Related Articles - [Software Engineer Salary London](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/252-software-engineer-salary-london) - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [What Jobs Can You Get with a Software Engineering Degree?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/398-what-jobs-can-you-get-with-a-software-engineering-degree) - [What’s the Difference between a Junior, Mid, and Senior Developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/238-what-s-the-difference-between-a-junior-mid-and-senior-developer) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs)