Test Engineering Manager

Test Engineering Manager

Leonardo
Southampton, England, United Kingdom

Do you want to work on real‑time projects alongside leading scientists and engineers within a globally renowned company? Leonardo is an international leader in electronic and information technologies for defence systems, aerospace, data, infrastructure, land security and protection, and sustainable “smart” solutions. Leonardo Southampton has a strong heritage in Infrared Detectors since the 1950s. Designed and built in the UK, Leonardo’s detectors and thermal imaging sensors play a crucial role in providing visibility and situational awareness, no matter what the environmental conditions.

Within IR Detectors Test Engineering is a critical discipline that provides the capability and delivery to ensure that our products meet the requirements of the customer and demonstrate statutory and regulatory requirements. We are a multi‑disciplined team of engineers who are looking for a visionary leader to deliver our mission of delivering sustainable Test Engineering today, in the future and beyond.

As Test Engineering Manager, you will have two key areas of responsibility:

• Capability – Generate and deliver a strategic roadmap of improvement to ensure the capability of Test Engineering in IR Detectors meets the needs of the business throughout the entire Product Life Cycle. Collaborate closely with key stakeholders, including Function Leads, Technology Leaders and Policy Makers to harmonise strategic direction to maximum effect. Define and characterise the vitality of Test Engineering, identifying and addressing critical gaps in capability and delivery.
  
  Review and ensure alignment of Test Strategy plans, identifying opportunities for efficiency savings. Input into the five‑year Integrated Business Plan balanced and considered plans for investment and return.
• Delivery – Ensure the quality of bid submissions from Test Engineering through review, ensuring resourcing strategies are effective and efficient. Manage the strategic supply and demand of resources. Ensure the efficient and compliant application of LCM and Governance across Test Engineering delivery. Provide and maintain suitable tools and infrastructure to enable the successful delivery of Test Engineering activities, working collaboratively with the UK Test, Tools and Governance Lead.
  
  Ensure the through‑life support of Test Capability through effective management of obsolescence, including policy changes, e.g. security. Ensure that project milestones are delivered to time, cost and quality.

• Ability to achieve SC level security clearance as a minimum
• Broad experience across engineering life cycles, with an emphasis on engineering and associated planning activities for successful delivery outcomes
• Ability to generate strategic visions and deliver against strategic plans
• Influencing and negotiation skills with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, proven ability to build trust and respect at all levels
• Proven leadership and decision‑making skills in a complex, dynamic environment
• Experience of delivering engineering solutions for complex and technically challenging products, preferably in the defence electronics sector
• Financial awareness and experience of financial planning.
• Awareness of statutory and regulatory compliance requirements within the defence avionics industry.

• Knowledge of a broad range of engineering disciplines
• Awareness of Manufacturing and Operations
• Knowledge/experience of defence technologies in the military, space and astronomy domain
• Experience of the application of continuous improvement principles within the Lean Sigma domain.

• 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.
• Rewarding Performance –…