Summer Placement Systems Engineer

The 13-week Summer Industrial Placement Programme is a chance to gain hands-on experience working on real-world projects from day one. You will apply your studies in a practical setting, develop your technical skills, and gain valuable insight into how Leonardo operates. The programme runs from 1st June to 27th August 2027.

What you'll do as a Summer Placement Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers are involved in all aspects of design and development, from initial product design through to in-service support. They look at the big picture, determine how the system needs to operate, and define its design in detail. They can also engage in R&D, developing new concepts and conducting research into future technologies.

As a Summer Placement Systems Engineer, you will work on real engineering problems within either the Radar or the Advanced Targeting business area. You will support a wide range of tasks across multiple projects/products, such as:

• The radar for the Typhoon fighter jet
• The radar for the SAAB Gripen fighter
• Our family of Surveillance AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radars
• An IRCM (Infra-Red Counter Measures) system
• Our laser target designator or laser ranging systems

Core activities within Systems Engineering include:

• Requirements capture, design documentation, verification and validation.
• Algorithm design and test.
• Performance modelling; building physics-based models to test designs through computer simulation.
• Data analysis; end-to-end systems analysis using synthetic and ‘real world’ data.
• Applied research; from product improvements to blue-sky thinking.

You will work with an experienced engineer for day-to-day guidance and on-the-job training. You will be introduced to systems engineering processes, methods, technology, and tools, with an emphasis on practical skills.

What you'll bring

• Self-motivated, willing to take on new challenges and drive personal development.
• Strong communication skills (written, verbal, digital).
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with peers and stakeholders.
• Adaptable to changing demands.
• Ability to offer novel ideas and methods for solving technical problems.

Role Requirements

• Currently studying a relevant degree discipline such as Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or other STEM subject degrees (minimum Bachelors level).
• Must be returning to university after the placement (not in final year).

Desirable experience includes:

• Coding/programming.
• Relevant project work and/or placements in industry.
• Applying science and technology knowledge to solve a real-world problem.

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 information, and employment/education history verification for the previous five years. Further National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply for more sensitive posts.

Benefits

• Pro rata annual leave allowance (25 days plus bank holidays).
• Award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led inclusion networks.
• Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn learning.