Job Description
Leonardo UK’s Legal team provides support across the UK business units and divisions covering a diverse range of products and services from high-energy military lasers, to cyber and physical security solutions, through to the design, manufacture and supply of rotary aircraft for commercial, public utility, security and defence applications.
Leonardo UK has a fantastic opportunity for an experienced commercial lawyer to join the team of legal professionals supporting our Electronics Division.
Location – Basildon, Luton, Southampton or Bristol with occasional travel to other sites.
What you’ll do as a Principal Lawyer
* Provide commercially focused and pragmatic legal advice and services to internal stakeholders (particularly Commercial and Intellectual Property).
* Review and draft a broad range of complex, international agreements with a diverse range of customers, partners and suppliers, including collaboration agreements, terms and conditions of sale and IP licences.
* Work collaboratively as a recognised legal expert integrated in a multi-disciplinary team, including liaising with and advising senior management.
* Actively contribute to direct contract negotiations, ensuring robust protection for the company while supporting business winning and retention.
* Support tender activities.
* Assess, lead, and manage claims and dispute resolution processes.
* Provide support and guidance on the protection, exploitation and enforcement of the company’s intellectual property rights.
* Monitor and keep up to date with legislative changes and relevant case law, and communicate bespoke and practical advice to colleagues both within the Legal team, and to colleagues within the business as applicable.
* Lead and assist with wider business and ad-hoc legal activities as required.
* Deputise for the Chief Lawyer within that division as required.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the provision of legal support to designated lines of business, programmes or campaigns.
* Provide commercially focused legal support to designated division(s) and site(s) of Leonardo in the UK.
* Contribute to the function development and strategy.
What You’ll Bring
Essential criteria
* Qualified English or Welsh Solicitor or Barrister with a current practising certificate and at least 7 years of post‑qualification experience. Solid background in commercial and contract law, ideally with experience in Intellectual Property.
* Demonstrated ability to analyse complex legal and regulatory issues, assess risks, and provide practical solutions that align with business goals.
Desirable criteria
* Familiarity with the defence, aviation, manufacturing, or technology sectors is advantageous.
* In‑house experience beneficial.
Security Clearance
Due to the nature of the role you must be able to achieve full security clearance without caveats, therefore only UK nationals can be considered for this opportunity. For more information and guidance please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels.
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.
* 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 - Basildon
Additional Locations
GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane, GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300, GB - Southampton, GB - Yeovil - Lysander Rd
Contract Type
Permanent
Hybrid Working
Hybrid
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Legal
Industries
Defense and Space Manufacturing, Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing, and Computer and Network Security
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