Job Description:
Your impact
We're looking for a Principal Composites Engineer who can champion advanced composites across our organisation and play a pivotal role in shaping our future capabilities. This is a unique opportunity to become our recognised specialist in composite materials—providing expert guidance on material selection, manufacturing processes, and the delivery of high-performance products. You'll influence design decisions from the outset to ensure we meet demanding operational, cost, support, and sustainability requirements.
Alongside structural composites, you'll also have the chance to work with our electronics teams, who are increasingly using unique and emerging materials to meet challenging performance and environmental requirements. This offers an exciting opportunity to broaden your expertise into a unique area, developing new skills and contributing to innovative solutions that integrate truly advanced materials into next-generation electronic systems.
This role sits within our newly established Materials and Processes Engineering Department, where you will play a key part in defining and expanding our composites capability. You'll join a team of specialists who provide expert guidance on materials and testing across all our UK sites, supporting programmes from early concept through to production. The role will also support the Materials and Processes team to define the strategic direction for composites technology, helping to highlight high value opportunities to showcase the technologies benefits and grow its adoption across the business. As part of this cross‑site remit, the role involves regular travel within the UK and occasional overseas visits to collaborate with partners and suppliers.
What you will do as our Principal Composites Engineer:
* Partner with design engineers to support the design and analysis of composite structures
* Collaborate with suppliers to ensure smooth transition from design to manufacture
* Develop and maintain a comprehensive Composites Design Guide
* Work with the Materials Conformity Lead to define requirements for future materials
* Contribute to the development and execution of our composite materials strategy
* Share expertise through internal knowledge‑sharing forum
* Support sustainability initiatives by assessing material carbon footprints and opportunities for circularity
* Work with Design Integrity and Airworthiness teams to ensure new composite materials meet regulatory expectations for safety‑critical applications
* Engage proactively with projects across the UK to drive effective adoption of new composite materials and processes.
What you'll bring:
* A degree‑level STEM qualification (or equivalent recognised by professional accreditation bodies)
* A background in aerospace or another high‑performance engineering sector
* Broad knowledge of composite materials and manufacturing processes
* Demonstrated capability in composite structural design and stress analysis
* Confidence working cross‑functionally with engineering, quality, procurement, and external partners
* Experience contributing to design reviews
* Curiosity, enthusiasm, and the drive to lead the adoption of new materials across engineering teams
* Willingness to represent the company at external events
This list isn't exhaustive—we're interested in people with the right mindset as much as the perfect CV. If you bring a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a passion for composites, we'd love to hear from you.
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:
Why join us
At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we're here to help you thrive.
* 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.
For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.
Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.
At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.
Be part of something bigger - apply now
Primary Location:
GB - Edinburgh
Additional Locations:
GB - Basildon, GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane, GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300, GB - Newcastle, GB - Southampton
Contract Type:
Hybrid Working:
Hybrid