Chief Mechanical Engineer

We have a unique opportunity for a Chief Mechanical Engineer of Advanced Targeting line of business here at Leonardo in Edinburgh. The Radar and Advanced Targeting (RATs) line of business has a successful history of being a key player in engineering since 1943 in the Edinburgh area. We are a global leader in defence electronics and deliver mission critical systems for situational awareness, electronic warfare and surveillance across land, sea and air. We are uniquely positioned as one of the world's top manufacturers of radars, lasers and infra–red countermeasure systems.

The primary role is to lead the application and development of appropriate technology and process across the Mechanical Engineering discipline in the Advanced Targeting Sector. As the subject matter expert you will own the associated technical direction for Mechanical Engineering within the sector.

You will be the mechanical engineering technical prime interface across multi discipline areas such as; systems engineering, project engineering management/chief engineers, project managers and our supply chain partners to ensure timely & efficient resolution of technical issues in the Advanced Targeting product portfolio. You will have overall responsibility and accountability for the mechanical engineering interface to the sector technical roadmap & product portfolio. You will also be the Mechanical Technical Authority across the sector.

What can we offer you:

Annual leave of 25 days plus bank holidays

Free parking

Award–winning pension scheme, including an attractive employer contribution

Flexible working and additional flex–leave schemes to give you the time and flexibility you need to enjoy a balanced life

Salary sacrifice schemes

Onsite Occupational Health Service to look after your physical and mental wellbeing, and keep you safe at work

Restaurant facilities, including a coffee shop and restaurant

Employee discount schemes for you and your family, including retail, cinema, hotel bookings and vehicle benefits

Family friendly policies

Paternity, parental, adoption and dependent leave

Access to thousands of online courses free of charge

Learning & Development – we will assess your development needs in line with the role you wish to perform, to allow you to further develop your knowledge

Career breaks – where appropriate, we support you to pursue other interests outside the workplace

Positive support for the Reserve Forces, including additional time off for Reservists

Key Responsibility Areas

Actively contribute to a culture of best practice sharing, knowledge exploitation and process improvement in order to develop longer term capability and expertise within the Electronics Division UK and the wider Leonardo business.

Personally coach and mentor others within Mechanical Engineering and wider IPT to ensure consistent development of self and team.

Pro–actively identify & promote new material and process developments / techniques that can return business advantage. Advise on novel material choice considering all manufacturing methods (e.g. composites, additive manufacturing).

Lead appropriate reviews and significantly contribute to engineering lifecycle reviews, tailoring to project requirements. Lead / chair combined PLM (?) reviews of the physical design implementation, identifying and mitigating risks between mechanical, optical, hardware, manufacturing and supply chain interfaces.

Drive and provide technical input to the Capability Development plan for Mechanical Engineering

Support the implementation of robust Mechanical Engineering within product / project IPT's. Ensure the sharing of best practise across Leonardo Electronics Division.

Act as a technical "trouble shooter" and consultant on projects for Mechanical Engineering.

Drive due diligence and ensure coordination of the Mechanical Estimating process. (Estimates underwritten by Head of Function).

Maintain regular links and dialogue with colleagues across the UK to enable sharing of technical data, processes and developments.

Work with Procurement to identify suitable supply chain partners

Skills, Qualifications & Knowledge Required

Typically Engineering or Science degree qualified, with post–graduate qualification (MSc, MEng) or equivalent.

Typically meets the requirement for registration of a professional body (CEng).

Desirable to have a depth of knowledge and experience in the mechanical design, development and production of complex airborne Electro–Optical products, across all lifecycle stages.

Broad experience across all of the product lifecycle phases, demonstrated through previous experience and successes.

Broad knowledge of tools and processes, used in the design, development and delivery of products.

Ability to influence and drive change within the business.

In–depth expertise within Mechanical Engineering, and a working knowledge of related disciplines.

Experience of preparing engineering related material for contract reviews, e.g. contributing to the risk register or deliverable status, awareness of contents of Contract Review Packs through project team briefs/ communications.

Experience in leading peer reviews (e.g. by reviewing engineering specifications, designs, reports, etc. for correctness).

Experience of design reviews, typically by leading the provision of evidence for assessment or acting as an independent assessor.

Role model within the business in terms of approach to technical/ professional leadership.

Experience of a through life capability management approach to delivering engineering.

Experience of assessing appropriate gate/phase review deliverables