GCAP MRFS National Chief Engineer & Design Authority

Overview

As National Chief Engineer and Design Authority, you provide strategic technical leadership for the GCAP MRFS Multi-function RF System within Leonardo Electronics UK. You own system-level coherence, architecture integrity, and long-term technical strategy across a complex multinational programme. You’ll influence future capability and the UK’s position within GCAP by guiding technical governance and key engineering artefacts. This is a high-impact, governance-heavy role that shapes national decisions and international collaboration while safeguarding UK objectives.

Pay / Benefits

• pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution
• annual flexi-days (up to 12)
• mental health support and financial advice
• bonus scheme for eligible roles
• access to 4,000+ online courses
• flexible benefits including private healthcare and gym memberships

Responsibilities

• Lead system and hardware architecture alignment across radar, multifunction capability, and platform integration
• Drive systems engineering activities including requirements management, functional decomposition, interface definition, and verification strategy
• Oversee concept generation, solution development, and trade studies across the system lifecycle
• Provide technical governance and approval of engineering artefacts, including compliance matrices and qualification evidence
• Engage with national and international stakeholders across government, industry partners, and customers
• Lead technical reviews and ensure robust, system-level decision-making
• Support safety, security, and airworthiness activities
• Deputise for the International SDA when required

Key requirements

• Extensive experience in complex systems engineering, preferably radar or advanced electronic systems
• Proven track record in system architecture leadership and design authority roles
• Strong capability in concept development and advanced system design
• Ability to operate at programme and national stakeholder level
• Excellent communication, leadership, and decision-making skills
• Eligibility for UK Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance (mandatory)
• Experience in multinational defence programmes; familiarity with DOORS/Teamcenter (desirable)

• communication
• leadership
• decision-making
• systems engineering
• architecture leadership
• requirements management

…