Lead Quality Specialist
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Job Description
Leonardo is looking to recruit a Lead Quality Specialist for software, based primarily at its site in Luton. The role will directly support a number of key programmes, especially the Global Combat Air Programme, ensuring quality is actively involved throughout the software development Lifecycle and being actively engaged across all of the lines of business.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a pioneering programme while fostering a culture of quality, continuous improvement, and shared excellence. Liaising closely with the Quality Assurance Team Leads and the relevant Quality Managers the role will be Luton based but some travel may be necessary to our other sites, visiting customers, partners or suppliers.
Quality Engineers at this level will be responsible for developing robust solutions, having broad experience across the whole software development life cycle and must be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of different development methodologies. The Lead Quality Specialist will be expected to achieve objectives across longer term planning horizons and provide complex technical input and advice to both internal and external customers. Specialist positions at this level will support software development activities across a range of programmes as well as be expected to provide assistance, advice and technical support within the Quality Function as is needed. This is a hands‑on role which may require line management responsibilities as the team grows in future.
Your Impact
* Identify and manage software specific risks, threats, and opportunities across projects, ensuring alignment with Programme Assurance Plans.
* Support software quality engineers across the business ensuring a consistent approach on all key aspects of GCAP and other programmes as required.
* Liaising with the Heads of Quality for Software and FCA/GCAP.
* Assess the ability of current and prospective subcontracted companies to perform software development to required standards for the GCAP programme.
* Support the creation and maintenance of software quality assurance plans in accordance with contractual conditions and company standards.
* Estimating software quality assurance resources as part of forward load management.
* Assess projects for compliance with software development plans and processes.
* Perform software audits and reviews and support external audits when needed.
* Provide specialist input including the application of specialist skills and knowledge to a project team or to quality engineers to help ensure the delivery of a technically sound solution meeting all stakeholder requirements.
* Lead and support investigations, prioritising and championing solutions and deliverables using known problem‑solving techniques.
* Keep abreast of external developments and technologies to identify exploitation and knowledge sharing with the project teams and the Quality Function.
* Act as a Quality authority in order to be directly involved in product/ process/ technology change (e.g. AI, ML).
* Advise and participate in improving policies and processes within the operations framework.
* Promote a culture of best practice sharing and knowledge exploitation.
* Mentor, coach and develop more junior members of the team to develop overall capability.
* Provide domain experience in support of customer and user engagement and product road maps.
* Provide technical advice to the Team Leads and Quality Managers in support of SW and FW releases.
What You’ll Bring
* Experience in a complex, high‑technology industry such as defence, electronics, or manufacturing.
* Knowledge and experience of software tools e.g. Requirements management, Configuration Management, Test, Code Coverage and Static Analysis.
* Working knowledge of quality frameworks including AS9100, ISO9001, AQAP 2210, DO-178C and associated continuous improvement tools.
* Hands‑on experience with quality tools like DOORS, Dimensions, SAP, DevOps.
* Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate findings in a way that supports decision‑making.
* Demonstrated ability to work effectively across teams with different experiences, backgrounds, and roles.
* Ability to travel to customers, suppliers or other Leonardo sites if required.
What We Need From You
* Further education and experience ideally in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing or experience in Defence Electronics or similarly "complex" industry.
* Be able to demonstrate knowledge within the areas of AS9100 / ISO9001 and Continuous improvement.
* Knowledge and practical experience of software quality.
* Excellent communicator with good interpersonal skills and a collaborative working style across all functions of the business.
* Excellent time management and organisation skills facilitating prioritisation and running multi tasks in parallel, against challenging time requirements.
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://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting
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 LinkedIn 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.
Primary Location
GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300
Contract Type
Permanent
Hybrid Working
Hybrid
Contact Information
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