Lead DevOps Engineer

Role overview

What you will do

• Act as the DevOps technical authority across programmes, shaping architectures and guiding technical delivery.
• Define DevOps roadmaps and strategies for automation, innovation, and secure delivery; lead feasibility studies and technology assessments.
• Guide CI/CD, infrastructure as code, and container orchestration across environments.
• Mentor engineers, represent Leonardo at customer and technical reviews, and contribute to bids, proposals, and technical strategy.
• Champion secure-by-design practices, accreditation alignment, and engineering governance.

Core requirements

• Recognised technical authority in DevOps and automation, with ability to influence strategy and represent the company externally.
• Expertise in CI/CD, automation, orchestration, containerisation, and tools including Docker, Kubernetes, and OpenShift or Tanzu.
• Deep knowledge of AWS or Azure cloud environments and hybrid deployments.
• Experience embedding cybersecurity controls and DevSecOps in pipelines and infrastructure.
• Proficiency in Python, Bash, or PowerShell scripting and automation; familiarity with accreditation, assurance, and secure-environment governance.
• Strong communication skills for engaging stakeholders at different levels.

Desirable experience and credentials

• Kubernetes CKA or CKAD, AWS or Azure Architect, or HashiCorp Terraform or Vault certifications are desirable.
• Experience influencing organisational DevOps standards, contributing research or professional publications, or using service mesh, GitOps, or policy-as-code is desirable.
• Experience with ELK, Prometheus, or Splunk monitoring, logging, or observability platforms is desirable.
• Existing UK DV clearance is advantageous, but eligible candidates may apply.

Workplace and security

• The role is based full time at a customer site in Gloucestershire.
• The role is subject to BPSS pre-employment screening; additional National Security Vetting, including SC or DV requirements, may apply.

Pay

• Leonardo uses a grade-based salary framework, but no specific salary amount or pay cadence is provided.

Benefits

• Benefits include generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 flexi-days, a pension with up to 15% employer contribution, wellbeing resources, learning access, and flexible benefits.
• The posting describes flexible hours and general hybrid working options; the role-specific description states full-time customer-site work.

About Leonardo