Software Engineer - Mission Management Systems

Working within our Helicopter division, you will be taking ownership of complex mission system software component, ensuring legacy systems remain robust, while simultaneously leveraging open architectures to ensure our future uncrewed systems are modular, portable, and ready for the next generation of autonomous missions., * Dual-Platform Architecture: Generate robust, scalable software models and detailed component designs using UML for both legacy manned and new uncrewed mission computers.

• Open Architecture Integration: Champion the use of Modular Open Systems Approaches (e.g., FACE/MOSA) to ensure future software portability across autonomous fleets.
• High-Integrity Implementation: Develop deterministic, mission-critical real-time software components (primarily in Ada95/C/C++), balancing the need for rigorous memory management with the processing demands of autonomous systems.
• Requirements & Traceability: Capture, analyse, and manage complex system requirements, ensuring traceability using DOORS across both manned and unmanned capability drops.
• Verification & Integration: Construct test harnesses, execute unit testing, and conduct hardware-in-the-loop integration to prove both traditional HMI functionality and complex autonomous behaviours.
• Navigating Certification: Produce and maintain standard engineering documentation. You will ensure legacy systems meet DO-178C requirements while actively helping the team navigate the emerging regulatory and certification hurdles associated with uncrewed systems.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as a technical authority during discussions with customers, suppliers, and multi-disciplinary teams to ensure autonomous and legacy software delivers the required operational capability within agreed budgets.

• Experience: Broad experience in the full software development lifecycle for real-time, high-integrity embedded systems.
• Core Technical Stack: Strong proficiency in Ada95, C, or C++. Extensive experience with UML modelling and requirements management via DOORS.
• Operating Environments: Deep understanding of Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS), multi-tasking environments, and command-based OS (Linux, UNIX).
• Regulatory Mindset: Practical experience navigating traditional safety standards (like DO-178C), coupled with a strong appetite for tackling the unique integration and certification challenges of autonomous systems.
• Mindset: A proactive architect who thrives in a transitional environment, capable of respecting the rigor of manned aviation while innovating for the uncrewed future.

It would be great if you bring specific knowledge or a strong interest in any of the following areas:

• Advanced Architecture: Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA), Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE), and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE / SysML).
• Autonomy & Future Tech: Exposure to autonomous flight rules, robotics/automation technologies, AI/Machine Learning, or modern languages (Rust, C#, Java) as they apply to future uncrewed mission systems.
• Tactical Domain: Military Tactical Communication, Sensor, and Weapon systems integration for both crewed and uncrewed platforms.
• Avionics & Hardware: Integration with Aircraft Electrical Systems and networking protocols (IP/Ethernet, Mil-Std 1553, ARINC429).

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.

Salary: £55k to £65k

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., 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 with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team-they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.