Lead Configuration and Data Engineer

Lead Configuration and Data Engineer – Leonardo

Location: Basildon, England, United Kingdom

Hybrid basis; can be based near sites: Bristol, Edinburgh, Luton, Southampton, Newcastle, Basildon, Lincoln.

We are recruiting a Lead Configuration and Data Engineer to oversee an expanding portfolio of world‑class Mission Critical and Flight Safety Involved Systems deployed across Land, Sea and Air domains. The role will provide technical leadership for configuration and data teams and define, implement, and maintain the Configuration Management process across the full lifecycle of aerospace, civil and defence programmes, ensuring all product baselines meet contractual, regulatory and company standards.

• 
  
• Ensuring the integrity and traceability of all configuration items (CIs) across hardware, software, and documentation used across the LoB.
  
• Identification, agreement, and control of Configuration Items in alignment with programme and regulatory requirements.
  
• Approval and oversight of configuration management plans, including baselines, updates, and change implementation plans.
  
• Ensuring compliance with the Five Pillars of Configuration Management and all relevant aerospace and defence standards.
  
• Configuration Identification – defining, documenting, and controlling CIs, baselines (Functional, Allocated, Product, As‑Built, As‑Maintained) and their relationships in PLM systems.
  
• Configuration Control – managing changes via First Pass Filters (FPF), Configuration Control Boards (CCB), and Configuration Implementation Boards (CIB) to ensure structured, compliant change approval and embodiment.
  
• Configuration Status Accounting (CSA) – capturing, maintaining and reporting CI status, change records and KPIs to provide actionable intelligence to the Line of Business.
  
• Configuration Audits – planning and leading Functional, Physical and internal/supplier audits to verify conformity between design, production and documentation.
  
• Configuration Planning & Governance – establishing the Configuration Management Plan (CMP), managing team capacity and workload, training and KPI performance to ensure CM governance aligns with programme and contractual obligations.
  

• 
  
• Lead evaluation, classification and management of Class I and Class II changes, ensuring appropriate review, approval and traceability.
  
• Chair first‑pass filter for all proposed changes, ensuring they meet standards before formal review.
  
• Chair or actively participate in Configuration Implementation Boards (CIB) and Change Control Boards (CCB), providing technical guidance and ensuring informed decisions.
  
• Ensure the impact of proposed changes is thoroughly assessed across design, production, operations, supply chain and security.
  
• Lead internal audits of configuration and change control processes, ensuring findings are addressed and corrective actions implemented.
  
• Manage supplier configuration audits and assessments to ensure compliance with configuration standards and contractual obligations.
  
• Act as point of escalation for supplier‑related configuration issues and drive resolution.
  
• Good working knowledge of Teamcenter Unified desirable.
  

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Additional Personnel Security Controls including National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, which could include meeting eligibility 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.

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.

• 
  
• Time to Recharge – generous leave and the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi‑days each year.
  
• Secure Your Future – 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.
  
• Rewarding Performance – bonus scheme for all employees at management level and below.
  
• Never Stop Learning – free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
  
• Refer a Friend – 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.
  

• 
  
• Primary Location: GB – Luton – Cap. Green 300
  
• Additional Locations: GB – Basildon, GB – Bristol Building, GB – Edinburgh, GB – Lincoln, GB – Newcastle, GB – Southampton
  
• Contract Type: Permanent
  
• Hybrid Working: Hybrid
  

• 
  
• Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
  
• Employment type: Full‑time
  
• Job function: Information Technology