Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description
Your impact
We have an exciting opportunity within the Manufacturing Engineering function for a Manufacturing Engineer (All Levels), working as part of the DragonFire Team.

You will join the team to develop, improve and support the operations manufacturing processes and equipment enabling world class production of Leonardo products. You will be responsible for developing robust solutions, taking into account the impact of their work on broader project issues. You will be expected to plan and deliver your own work, across medium term planning horizons and provide complex technical advice to both internal and external customers and will be responsible for developing others. This role will be Delivery (Sustaining) focused with opportunities to support NPI (New Product Introduction) projects.

Leonardo is an international leader in the development of cutting edge sensor products deployed across a wide range of airborne platforms. Pushing the boundaries of technology, accuracy, and safety in engineering globally.

The role will be based in Edinburgh on-site with the possibility of occasional remote working.

What You'll Do As a Manufacturing Engineer

• Develop manufacturing processes by studying product requirements; researching, designing, modifying, and testing manufacturing methods and equipment; understanding feedback from Leonardo operators, conferring with equipment vendors or external suppliers
• To prepare for and organise Manufacturing Maturity Reviews, maintain governance through the Lifecycle Management process and create / contribute / review and/or lead Manufacturing Plans

• Provide manufacturing decision-making information with resolution proposals by

• Review production schedules; review production labour and material costs; estimate future requirements

• Prepare product and process reports by collecting, analysing, and summarizing information and trends

• Ability to resolve complex product and/or production issues & constraints (relieving bottlenecks) on shop floor reacting efficiently to escalation from manufacturing teams

• Improve manufacturing efficiency by capacity analysis, simulation planning workflow, space requirements, and equipment layout
• Review manufacturing documentation, can include input to process specific risk assessments, COSHH data, technical reports, specification
• Assure product and process quality by designing methods; validation/verification of process capabilities; establishing standards; confirming manufacturing processes
• Contribute to failure investigations utilising known problem solving techniques (e.g. 8D)
• Assure manufacturing data i.e. routings, production plans, control plans and electronic work instructions
• Identify continuous improvement activities to develop skills and competencies within Manufacturing Engineering
• Complete improvement and development projects by training and interacting with the organisations manufacturing engineer community
• Promote 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
• Provide domain experience in support of customer and user engagement and product road maps
• Maintain product and company reputation by complying with government regulations
• Approximately 10% Travel UK/Worldwide.

You will be provided with a wealth of development opportunities in both virtual and applied working environments.

At Leonardo we value individuals who continuously demonstrate a dedication to their personal development. We have partnered with Coursera, the world leading online training platform that offers around 4,000 courses you can sign up to, according to your professional and personal interests. Self-directed learning thrives in this environment.

What You'll Bring

• Essential – Manufacturing engineering ability, either through qualification HNC, or equivalent experience and knowledge
• Desirable – HND or above in an engineering related discipline, preferably Mechanical Engineering
• In depth understanding of manufacturing processes and principles
• People management & leadership skills; including effective performance and change management skills
• Ability to influence and negotiate with others using data and analysis to support line of reasoning
• A detailed understanding of the operational framework and business processes
• An understanding of cross functional / commercial business processes and their own impact
• Ability to take ownership of a work package; planning and scheduling own workload and the work of others
• Operational understanding of project work and how the work of the team impacts upon other project activities
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of multiple phases of the Product Life Cycle and the associated processes
• Experience of peer reviewing the work of others inside a product team and within a sub Engineering Unit and ensuring the resulting actions are implemented
• Demonstrated knowledge of the risk / reward process associated with engineering activity informing the activities of a product team and own sub-engineering unit
• Ability to communicate concepts in a non-technical way
• Confidence and ability to challenge / respond to technical / process issues
• Ability to interact effectively with customers and suppliers
• Been involved in capability and / or process development, demonstrating an ability to implement a change to working practices
• Excellent communication skills – both oral and written to articulate and explain technical understanding.

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 - Edinburgh

Contract Type
Hybrid Working
Onsite