Lead Quality Specialist

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
As a Lead Quality Specialist for software, you will play a key role in ensuring high standards of quality and compliance across our cutting-edge projects. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams, bring a proactive approach to managing risk, and champion continuous improvement.

• 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
• Assessing 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.
• Assessing projects for compliance with software development plans and processes.
• Performing software audits and reviews and supporting external audits when needed.
• Providing 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 & support investigations, aware of all the project issues, able to prioritise and championing the solutions and deliverables using known problem-solving techniques.
• Keeping 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).
• Advising and participating on improving policies and processes within the operations framework.
• Promoting a culture of best practice sharing and knowledge exploitation.
• Mentor, coach and develop more junior members of the team in order to develop overall capability.
• Providing domain experience in support of customer and user engagement and product road maps.
• Providing 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-178 C. 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

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 - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type
Permanent

Hybrid Working
Hybrid