Lead Configuration and Data Engineer

Leonardo is hiring a Lead Configuration and Data Engineer within the Design Integrity function. You will oversee an expanding portfolio of world-class Mission Critical and Flight Safety Involved Systems deployed across Land, Sea and Air domains. You will support and oversee internal Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) across the Customer Support and Service Solutions (CS3) Line of Business (LoB). You will provide technical leadership for the configuration and data teams and define, implement and maintain the Configuration Management process across the full lifecycle of aerospace, civil and defence programmes. You will ensure all product baselines are defined in accordance with contractual, regulatory and company standards throughout the product lifecycle. This role is hybrid and can be based near one of the following sites: Bristol, Edinburgh, Luton, Southampton, Newcastle, Basildon or Lincoln.

• Ensuring the integrity and traceability of all configuration items (CIs) across hardware, software, and documentation used across the LoB.
• Identification, agreement, and control of Configuration Items in alignment with programme and regulatory requirements.
• Approval and oversight of configuration management plans, including baselines, updates, and change implementation plans.
• Ensuring compliance with the Five Pillars of Configuration Management and all relevant aerospace and defence standards.
• Configuration Identification – defining, documenting, and controlling CIs, baselines (Functional, Allocated, Product, As-Built, As Maintained) and their relationships in PLM systems.
• Configuration Control – managing changes via First Pass Filters (FPF), Configuration Control Boards (CCB), and Configuration Implementation Boards (CIB) to ensure structured, compliant change approval and embodiment.
• Configuration Status Accounting (CSA) – capturing, maintaining, and reporting CI status, change records, and KPIs, providing actionable intelligence to the LoB.
• Configuration Audits – planning and leading Functional and Physical Configuration Audits (FCA/PCA) and internal/supplier audits to verify conformity between design, production, and documentation.
• Configuration Planning & Governance – establishing the Configuration Management Plan (CMP), managing team capacity, workload forward load, training, and KPI performance to ensure CM governance aligns with programme and contractual obligations.

• Lead the evaluation, classification, and management of Class I and Class II changes, ensuring appropriate review, approval, and traceability.
• Chair the first-pass filter for proposed changes, ensuring they meet standards before progression to formal review.
• Chair or actively participate in Configuration Implementation Boards (CIB) and Change Control Boards (CCB), providing technical guidance and ensuring informed decisions.
• Assess the impact of proposed changes across design, production, operations, supply chain and security.
• Lead internal audits of configuration and change control processes and drive corrective actions.
• Manage supplier configuration audits and assessments to ensure compliance with configuration standards and contractual obligations.
• Act as the point of escalation for supplier-related configuration issues and drive resolution.
• Good working knowledge of Teamcenter Unified would be desirable.

This is not an exhaustive list; we welcome applicants who may not have experience in all areas. A good attitude and willingness to learn are highly regarded.

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of National Security Vetting (NSV) controls may apply, including eligibility for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information, please visit the Leonardo careers security and vetting page.

• Time to Recharge: generous leave with up to 12 additional flexi-days per year.
• Secure your Future: pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
• Rewarding Performance: bonus scheme for employees at management level and below.
• Never Stop Learning: access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a Friend: financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, discounts, gym memberships, and more.
• Flexible Working: hybrid options; part-time opportunities may be possible.

Primary Location: GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300. Additional Locations: GB - Basildon, GB - Bristol Building, GB - Edinburgh, GB - Lincoln, GB - Newcastle, GB - Southampton. Contract Type: Permanent. Hybrid Working: Hybrid.

• Mid-Senior level

• Full-time

• Information Technology
• Industries: Defense and Space Manufacturing, Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing, and Computer and Network Security