Job Description:

Your Impact:

At Leonardo we have a fantastic opportunity for a Project Leader to join the Infrared (IR) Detectors business team. Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security and this role is based at our site in Southampton, Hampshire, UK and will operate within a custom/flexible working environment combining both office and home working.

Leonardo design & manufacture world-leading IR detectors for a variety of civil, industrial & military applications across both Commercial and Defence Markets.  Due to business growth, a vacancy has arisen for a Project Leader to support a variety of projects spanning both customer delivery and product development projects.

Projects can be technically demanding, and the project leader will be working alongside a project team to co-ordinate, track and progress activities across multiple projects in support of managing risks to deliver projects on time, within budget and to quality.  This includes reporting progress both upwards within the business to management and outwards to Customers.

The role allows interaction with a wide variety of personnel at various levels within the company as well as with customers and suppliers, thus strong and effective communication skills are vital.  You will also work closely with the Programme Managers for the business area along with other project managers and leaders within the Detectors business.

Reporting directly to the Head of Programmes for the IR Detectors business, the project leader will co-ordinate IPTs on day-to-day activities and therefore must be a good team player possessing strong team building and motivational skills. Activities will include but not be limited to:

• Planning, managing, monitoring and reporting on multiple projects simultaneously in accordance with Leonardo’s Lifecycle management process.
• Close management of Project schedules within both Microsoft Project and the company’s P6 / SAP schedule management tools.
• Monitoring and Control of all activities and costs, defining and implementing corrective actions required to tackle any deviations from the planned activities / budget.
• Co-ordinating the activities of the IPT by establishing appropriate communication mechanisms, encompassing both meetings and reporting requirements.
• Maintenance of Project Risk and Opportunity through the project lifecycle.
• Building relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure all projects are supported and delivered maximising customer satisfaction
• Demonstrating ownership for delivery and performance of the projects of relevance
• Conducting project reviews and making recommendations to appropriate business areas.
• Drive continuous improvement and promote best practice across all project activities.

Project Leaders are also involved in activities related to winning follow-on business and required to contribute to the preparation, management and review of bids and communicate to the relevant internal stakeholders in order to support the Customer requirements.

What You’ll Bring:

We’re looking for a candidate with experience of Military, Security, Government or Industrial Projects.  Some national and international travel may be required.

The successful candidate will typically meet the Project Manager (Entry) knowledge requirements and experience competency levels as defined by the APM Competency Framework and possess:

• Knowledge of different Project Management techniques and when/how to use them.

• Demonstrated project delivery experience, ideally within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in project planning, scheduling, work package management and cost control.

• A positive attitude and be an energetic, team player, capable of also working autonomously and keen to develop further.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

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://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

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%e mployer 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!

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