Head of Digital Engineering

Job Description: Leonardo is a global industrial group, among the main global players in Aerospace, Defence and Security that realises multi-domain technological capabilities in Helicopters, Aircraft, Aerostructures, Electronics, Cyber Security and Space. With over 60,000 employees worldwide, the company has a solid industrial presence in Italy, the UK, Poland and the US. It also operates in 150 countries through subsidiaries, joint ventures and investments. A key player in major international strategic programmes, it is a technological and industrial partner of governments, defence administrations, institutions and companies. In 2024, Leonardo recorded consolidated revenues of € 17.8 bn, new orders for € 20.9 bn and invested € 2.5 bn in R&D. Innovation, continuous research, digital industry and sustainability are the pillars of its business worldwide. As the Head of Digital Engineering and Delivery Value Stream the role plays a pivotal part in driving the digital engineering transformation across the programme. As the Joint venture scales up the programme this role is responsible for the delivery of the digital engineering and delivery products for all users across the Joint Venture and any partners using the systems. The role holder will build and lead a dynamic team ensuring seamless collaboration and innovation whilst maintaining the highest standards of security and reliability. The programme is an period of significant change and the role holder will be expected to lead the team through this period, demonstrating adaptability, creativity and resilience. Define the Value Stream vision and roadmap: Collaborate with international partner and customer stakeholders to define the Digital Engineering and Delivery vision and develop a strategic roadmap that aligns with business goals and customer needs. Lead and manage Product Line Managers: Provide guidance, coaching, and mentorship to product line managers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment. Act as a senior escalation point for Value Stream performance. Oversee Digital Business performance: Accountable for the overall performance of the Digital Engineering and Delivery organisation, ensuring the timely delivery of the Value Stream roadmap and the launch of valuable, robust, and secure solutions to business users and customers. Ensure cross-functional collaboration: Partner effectively with the enabling functions (finance, HR, supply chain, legal, and commercial) and other Heads of Product Value Stream to break down silos and ensure seamless product development and launch and aligned strategies across the business. Optimise the value stream: Identify and eliminate bottlenecks in the product development process, focusing on continuous improvement and maximising efficiency. Drive data-driven decision making: Utilise data and analytics to inform product decisions, measure success, and track key performance indicators (KPIs). Stay abreast of industry trends: Continuously research and analyse market trends to ensure the product value stream remains relevant and competitive. Management of budget for the delivery of Digital engineering and delivery activity including alignment across partners, effective management of supplier contracts and budgets and integration with the wider enterprise enablement financial plans. Ensure Value Stream compliance: Accountable for effective security, compliance, and risk management across the Digital Engineering and Delivery Value Stream, in line with enterprise guardrails and standards. Interlock with Digital Information Portfolio function on major demand: Act as a senior interface with the Digital Information Portfolio function, ensuring new, major demand iterms are appropriately qualified and planned. Objectives Define the product vision and roadmap: Collaborate with international partner and customer stakeholders to define the digital engineering and delivery vision and develop a strategic roadmap that aligns with business goals and customer needs. Lead and manage product line managers: Provide guidance, coaching, and mentorship to product line managers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment. Ensure cross-functional collaboration: Work effectively with the enabling functions (finance, HR, supply chain, legal, and commercial) and other Heads of Product Value Stream to break down silos and ensure seamless product development and launch and aligned strategies across the business. Optimise the value stream: Identify and eliminate bottlenecks in the product development process, focusing on continuous improvement and maximising efficiency. Drive data-driven decision making: Utilise data and analytics to inform product decisions, measure success, and track key performance indicators (KPIs). Stay abreast of industry trends: Continuously research and analyse market trends to ensure the product value stream remains relevant and competitive. Within your first 6 months you will: Establish the Digital Engineering & Delivery team including confirming the Product organisations and recruiting key roles and defining statements of work for 3rd party supplier engagement. Build relationships across all stakeholders to develop an aligned Value Stream vision and approach. Work with customers to understand requirements, develop and prioritise the backlog, and create and communicate a value stream roadmap to support business engagement and alignment. Engage with other Heads of Product Value Stream and establish a regular cadence of interaction and ways of working that allow for sharing of understanding of Business and Digital Information plans across the business. Implement appropriate systems to control the flow of work ensuring that the right things are delivered in the right way. Be able to demonstrate the value of digital services in your value stream to the business by launching or improving products and services. Essential Qualifications: Relevant IT or business degree or demonstrable experience Applicable technology certifications, product management qualifications, or demonstrable experience Evidence of continuous professional development Desirable Qualifications: Professional membership of STEM related independent organisation, e.g.Institute of Engineering Technology, Royal Engineering Society Relevant Agile and/or Product Management certifications, including but not limited to Certified Scrum Product Owner (Scrum Alliance), Certified Scrum Master (Scrum Alliance), Leading SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) Seniority: Senior