Principal Supportability Engineer

Job Description

Help shape the future of military capability. As a Principal Supportability Engineer at Leonardo, you’ll lead the integration of supportability across complex systems – many in the Electronic Warfare domain – so operators can perform at their best when it matters most. You’ll set the strategy for supportability across programmes, influence the design from concept to delivery, and work with multidisciplinary teams, military users, and Ministry of Defence stakeholders to deliver safe, effective, and compliant solutions.

What You Will Do

• Set strategy and governance: define ILS and safety approach, standards, and measures of effectiveness across programmes.
• Ensure delivery and lead major ILS and safety work packages and reviews; ensure quality, schedule, and compliance.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring, guiding supportability practitioners and adjacent disciplines and sharing best practice.
• Bid and capture shape winning supportability propositions, estimates, and plans for competitive proposals.
• Plan and run testing and evaluation activities, trials, and demonstrations, monitor performance, and drive design actions.
• Act as the supportability point of contact for MOD and industry clients and partners, building long‑term relationships.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and strengthen ILS function and EW domain practice.

What You’ll Bring Main Must‑Haves

• Support design reviews and customer meetings by presenting supportability evidence and guidance, ensuring that supportability aspects are effectively communicated and addressed.
• Extensive experience in supportability on mission‑critical defence/aerospace programmes, with working knowledge of the Defence Logistics Framework, Def Stan 00‑600 and Def Stan 00‑056.
• Depth across supportability methods: supportability analysis, software support, hazard analysis, supply support, maintenance and progressive assurance.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and mentoring, setting direction and assuring quality across multiple projects.
• Experience in applying supportability methodologies within complex engineering projects.
• Strong stakeholder skills with senior MOD and industry clients; able to influence and build trust.

Helpful Tooling (Nice to Have)

• Preferably have a degree in a relevant engineering or science discipline.
• Experience with requirement and delivery tools (e.g., DOORS, Jira, Confluence).
• Project management skills.
• Lean methodologies.

Plus

Experience building capability within an organisation and supporting business growth.

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.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit https //

Why Join Us

• 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 Linked In 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.

For a full…