Head of Test Engineering Capability and Delivery

Job Description:

The opportunity:

At Leonardo, we have a fantastic opportunity for a Head of Test Engineering Capability and Delivery to join our team within the Customer Support and Service Solutions (CS3) Line of Business.

CS3 operates across the UK and overseas, supporting critical technologies and systems on Air, Land and Sea platforms, ensuring their readiness and availability to underpin national security.  We are proud to be the largest supplier of avionic support to the UK MoD and a trusted partner for our customers worldwide, providing innovative and invaluable support solutions. A key element of these solutions is the provision of test capability and in this role you will be responsible for the range of test solutions that we design, develop, maintain and manage within CS3, looking at current and future needs.

What you’ll do as the Head of Test Engineering Capability and Delivery:

You will be responsible for influencing and setting the strategic direction for test engineering in CS3, for legacy, current and future test solutions. The role will involve overseeing the test equipment that our customers are dependent upon – determining opportunities and risk mitigations, as well as managing the transfer of test equipment from production into support in line with engineering lifecycle processes. This equipment is often delivered as part of an ML2 (Maintenance Level 2) capability at regional diagnostic and repair centres at military bases and customer sites and under Part 145 regulations.

Reporting to the CS3 Engineering VP, this role requires close collaboration both within CS3, and with the other lines of business, to ensure alignment across project and business objectives. We are looking for someone who is highly capable, flexible, driven and an organised leader who is able to see the bigger picture as well as having a high level of energy and attention to detail. You will be responsible for:

• Setting and executing strategies and priorities for CS3 test engineering
• Constructing an effective test engineering operating model to best meet the needs of the CS3 line of business
• Maintaining a positive working relationship with stakeholders, including test capability and delivery leads within each line of business, the UK Head of Test Engineering Capability, and the CS3 sector VPs.
• Working with internal and external stakeholders to understand the needs and requirements of CS3 test solutions, including planning, resourcing, execution, legislative compliance, certification and delivery.
• Collating and generating performance metrics and reports, highlighting opportunities and risks across CS3 test equipment
• Co-ordinating and driving improvement activities to deliver value back to the business
• Engaging with the CTO function to develop technology roadmaps
• Identifying opportunities for Maintenance Level 1 and Maintenance Level 2 test equipment
• Informing requirements for Maintenance Level 3 and Maintenance Level 4 test equipment
• Providing support to CS3 bid activity on opportunities to supply ML1, ML2 and ML3 test capability to customers both domestic and international.
• Mentoring and developing engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth
• Determining test engineering core competency requirements for CS3
• Representing CS3 test engineering at sector reviews and project performance reviews as required

We would like to hear from you if you have a combination of the following:

• Experience of delivering test solutions for highly complex and technically challenging products, preferably in the defence electronics sector
• In-service knowledge and operation of a multi-contractual support environment
• Proven technical leadership and decision-making skills at an engineering management level

• Broad experience across engineering lifecycles, with an emphasis on test engineering and associated planning and governance activities for successful delivery outcomes
• Ability to think strategically and solve complex problems
• Experience of generating strategic visions and delivering against strategic plans
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience of delivery to a variety of audiences
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated with a strong ability to foster and develop effective working relationships with both external and internal stakeholders at varying levels of seniority
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with an ability to influence and adapt according to changing demands
• Awareness of statutory and regulatory compliance requirements within the defence avionics industry

Security Clearance

You must be eligible for full security clearance and may need to satisfy further UK eyes only and ITAR conditions.  For more information and guidance please visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Life at Leonardo

With a company funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.

• Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us
• Company funded flexible benefits: Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance)
• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year
• Pension: Award winning pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution)
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme with access to free mental health support, financial wellbeing support and network groups to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity)
• Lifestyle:  Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme
• Training: Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera and Linkedin Learning
• Referral Incentive: You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member
• Bonus: Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below 

For a full list of our company benefits, please visit our website here.

Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 8,000 are based at 8 sites throughout the UK.

At Leonardo UK, we believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment unlocks our people’s full potential and drives innovation and creativity. We work hard to offer a welcoming, accessible and inclusive place to work for all of our people, creating a culture where everyone can thrive, feel safe and have a sense of belonging and connection.

This is a great opportunity to bring your talents and form an integral part of Leonardo’s future. We can help you develop your skills and offer great opportunities to develop and grow, so why not join us.

Primary Location:

GB - Edinburgh

Additional Locations:

GB - Basildon, GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane, GB - Lincoln, GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300, GB - Newcastle, GB - Southampton

Contract Type:

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid