> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/3061601-head-of-software-engineering-ew](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/3061601-head-of-software-engineering-ew). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Head of Software Engineering (EW) - **Company:** Leonardo Electronic Warfare - **Location:** Luton, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** LTE (Telecommunication), Artificial Intelligence, Software Architecture, Real-Time Operating Systems, Software Engineering, Software Factory, Information Technology, DO-178B, Devsecops - **Published:** September 25, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.co.uk/job/gb3c43c36be4149b5b5f984521f7d1232a/eaa ## About the Role You will be an accomplished engineering leader with experience of leading large software organisations through significant change. You'll bring: * A proven track record of leading software engineering functions through senior managers and technical leaders. * Experience translating engineering strategy into measurable business outcomes. * Demonstrable success driving organisational transformation and improving engineering performance at scale. * Strong leadership credentials, with a passion for developing people, future leaders and technical talent. * The ability to influence senior stakeholders and build alignment across engineering, programme and business communities. * Experience balancing near-term delivery pressures with long-term capability development. * Strong commercial awareness, including workforce planning, investment decisions and budget management. * Experience operating within complex, highly regulated engineering environments. Technical Credibility You do not need to be the deepest technical specialist in every domain, but you must have the credibility to lead a large software engineering function. Experience in one or more of the following areas would be advantageous: * Embedded and real-time software * Safety-critical or mission-critical systems * DevSecOps and software factory approaches * Model-Based Engineering * Software architecture and platform development * Digital engineering and engineering transformation * AI-enabled software development Experience with standards such as DO-178C, IEC61508, ISO26262 or equivalent is highly desirable. ## Description Leonardo Electronic Warfare is seeking an outstanding engineering leader to shape the future of software engineering across one of the UK's most advanced defence technology businesses. Leading a community of approximately 180 software engineers across Luton, Lincoln and Bristol, you will be accountable for the capability, performance and long-term evolution of Software Engineering within EW which includes products such as BriteCloud, Praetorian, SAGE and and many more. This role extends well beyond software delivery. We are looking for a leader who can define strategy, build organisational capability, develop future leaders and drive transformational change. You will influence how software is engineered across our portfolio, ensuring we continue to deliver mission-critical capability faster, more efficiently and with ever-increasing levels of quality. You will work closely with Chief Engineers, Product Architects, Engineering Leaders and Business stakeholders to deliver both today's commitments and tomorrow's capability. What you'll do As Head of Software Engineering, you will: * Lead and develop a software engineering community of around 180 engineers across multiple sites and programmes. * Define and execute the Software Engineering strategy for Electronic Warfare. * Build a high-performing organisation with strong succession pipelines, career pathways and leadership development. * Drive continuous improvement in engineering effectiveness, quality, productivity and delivery performance. * Champion the adoption of modern software engineering practices, digital technologies, automation, DevSecOps and AI-enabled engineering approaches. * Establish a culture of technical excellence, accountability, learning and innovation. * Shape software technology, process and toolchain roadmaps in partnership with technical and business leadership. * Ensure the software function has the capability and capacity required to meet future business demand. * Provide governance, assurance and functional leadership across the EW portfolio. * Represent EW Software Engineering within Leonardo UK and the wider engineering community. ## Related Videos - [Unlocking the potential of Digital & IT at Vodafone](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/602-unlocking-the-potential-of-digital-it-at-vodafone) - [Building an agentic software factory: How we rebuilt product development at Pipedrive](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100261-building-an-agentic-software-factory-how-we-rebuilt-product-development-at-pipedrive) - [DevSecOps: Injecting Security into Mobile CI/CD Pipelines](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/273-devsecops-injecting-security-into-mobile-ci-cd-pipelines) - [Robots are coming into the wild! Full-Stack Robotics Engineers, be ready!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/479-robots-are-coming-into-the-wild-full-stack-robotics-engineers-be-ready) - [From Code to Culture: Why Leadership Determines Software Quality](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1998-from-code-to-culture-why-leadership-determines-software-quality) - [DevSecOps: Security in DevOps](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/36-devsecops-security-in-devops) ## Related Articles - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [Where To Find Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/396-where-to-find-software-engineering-jobs) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [The Ultimate Software Engineer Career Path Guide for 2023](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/146-the-ultimate-software-engineer-career-path-guide-for-2023)