Quality Improvement Lead / Manager

Job Description: Salary £60k - £75k - Lead level Salary £75k - £88k - Manager level. Leonardo UK operates a grade based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market.

Are you an innovative and adaptable Quality professional, with a passion for problem solving and improvement? At Leonardo we have an exciting opportunity for a Quality Improvement Lead to work on our GCAP Electronics Evolution Consortium (G2E) at our Reading site. G2E brings together four world leading defence electronics champions, from three nations (Italy, UK and Japan), as a single strategic enabling partner, with one vision to deliver the Integrated Sensors And Non Kinetic Effects and Integrated Communications Systems (ISANKE &ICS) that will make the GCAP next generation fighter jet, a sensor powerhouse.

As a Quality Improvement Lead you will be a UK representative for the G2E Domain Quality Management Office (DQMO), working under the Quality Director to drive improvement activities. The role will involve international and national travel between Leonardo UK sites, and may start at our Luton site before moving to Reading, depending on timelines.

Responsibilities

• Implement process improvements and manage data to monitor quality performances and KPIs.
• Integrate advanced technologies (AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, IoT) to enhance quality monitoring.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams to support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Implement tools to support the five phases: Planning, Product Design and Development, Process Design and Development, Product and Process Validation, and Ongoing Production, Use, and Post delivery Service.
• Support internal departments in the application of these tools by providing training, resources, and guidance on the tool principles and practices.
• Coordinate with international partners to ensure their supply chain supports these tools to meet quality standards and requirements.
• Conduct audits and assessments to verify compliance with those tools and processes.
• Facilitate effective communication between G2E and partner teams to ensure alignment on quality expectations and deliverables.

Qualifications

• Essential:
  • A degree in a STEM or business related topic.
  • Experience working in a quality or business improvement role.
  • Understanding of ISO 9001.
  • Analytical and problem solving skills.
  • Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Evidence of good collaboration skills and cross geographic working to reach agreements and form partnerships.
• Desirable:
  • AS9100 series of standards (incl AS9145).
  • Agile Development Frameworks (e.g. SCRUM).
  • Quality Management software and tools.
  • Lean / Six Sigma Principles.

Security Clearance

This role requires National Security Vetting to SC level. The successful applicant must achieve, maintain, and comply with SC clearance, meeting eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance, please visit

Benefits

Leonardo offers a comprehensive, company funded benefits package that supports wellbeing, career development, and work-life balance.

• Generous leave with opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi days each year.
• Competitive pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee led networks promoting inclusion and diversity.
• Bonus scheme for all employees at management level and below.
• Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Referral programme providing financial reward.
• Annual allocation of £500 for flexible benefits (private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships, etc.).
• Flexible hours with hybrid working options; part time possibilities may be discussed.

Location & Seniority

Primary: Reading, GB. Additional: Luton, GB.

Contract type: Permanent. Hybrid working: Hybrid, international, multicultural, innovative, technological.