Graduate Hardware Engineer

Leonardo is seeking motivated graduates to join their 18-month Graduate Programme, designed to accelerate development into professional engineers. You will contribute to real projects from day one, working alongside industry experts and gaining hands-on experience across the full hardware development lifecycle.

This role is based in Luton, with flexible and hybrid working arrangements available. Occasional travel within the UK and overseas may be required.

What You'll Do

As part of the Hardware Engineering team, you will support the development of high-performance electronic hardware for advanced Electronic Warfare solutions. Your activities will include:

• Designing and developing analogue, digital and mixed-signal hardware solutions.
• Supporting hardware development throughout the engineering lifecycle, from concept to qualification.
• Creating circuit designs, schematics, and analyses using industry-standard tools.
• Conducting laboratory testing, debugging, and validation.
• Analysing technical data and presenting findings.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams (systems, firmware, software, RF, mechanical).
• Contributing to technical documentation and design reviews.
• Developing an understanding of the complete engineering lifecycle.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for curious, motivated graduates with a passion for engineering, problem-solving, and technology. You should have, or be on track to achieve:

• A minimum 2:2 Bachelor's degree, Integrated Master's degree, MSc or PhD in a relevant STEM discipline, such as Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, AI & Cybernetics, Physics, Mathematics, Communications Engineering, Information Engineering, Space Engineering, Computer Communication and Networks, Cyber Security, or related disciplines.

We would also value:

• An interest in electronic hardware design, circuit development, or embedded systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Clear and effective communication of technical concepts.
• A collaborative approach and willingness to learn.
• Experience with design, simulation, programming, or laboratory testing (desirable).
• Familiarity with circuit design, schematic capture, or simulation tools (beneficial, training provided).

Benefits

• Structured professional development and technical training.
• Support from experienced engineers, mentors, and the graduate community.
• Opportunities to work on meaningful projects with real customer impact.
• Development towards professional registration.
• Exposure to a wide range of technologies and engineering disciplines.
• Networking opportunities across Leonardo's UK business.
• Starting salary of £34,000 per annum.
• £1,000 welcome bonus.
• £1,000 exit bonus upon successful completion of the programme.
• Potential eligibility for a Temporary Accommodation Allowance (TAA).
• Generous leave with up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks.
• Annual bonus scheme.
• Annual Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
• Up to £500 annually on flexible benefits (private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships, etc.).

Security Clearance

Many roles are subject to security and export control restrictions. Successful applicants will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record declaration, and employment/education history verification for the previous five years. Additional National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, which generally requires continuous residency in the UK for the previous five years (or ten for DV clearance).