Lead Engineer – Refrigeration & Cooling Systems

Leonardo Worldwide Corporation; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in Luton is seeking a Lead Engineer for Refrigeration and Cooling Systems. In this full-time position, you will design and maintain advanced cooling solutions for military platforms, collaborating with various teams. Ideal candidates will have a relevant degree or equivalent experience, along with expertise in refrigeration and thermal management. A hybrid working model is available, offering flexibility and competitive benefits.

Benefits

Private healthcare

Flexible working options

Pension contributions up to 15%

Company funded flexibility benefits

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Ideally a Degree qualification, but an HND/HNC with sufficient practical experience will also be considered.
• Background in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, or related.

Responsibilities

• Designing and maintaining refrigeration systems for military aviation platforms.
• Supporting system integration and testing.
• Collaborating with international partners.

Skills

Refrigeration

Cooling systems

Thermal management

Pressure systems

Team working

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Education

Degree or HND/HNC in relevant field

Tools

Engineering documentation tools

Testing equipment

Job description

Overview

Lead Engineer – Refrigeration & Cooling Systems role at Leonardo. Location: GB - Luton with hybrid working. The opportunity focuses on delivering high-performance cooling solutions and test equipment for advanced aerospace platforms. Collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment with opportunities for career development.

What You’ll Do

• Designing, building, documenting, testing, qualifying, installing, and maintaining refrigeration and other thermal management systems for military aviation platforms.
• Supporting system integration and testing at Leonardo facilities, customer sites, and occasionally on operational bases.
• Presenting engineering solutions and investigation findings to internal teams and external partners.
• Collaborating with European and international partners on joint development or support projects.
• Progressing toward recognised status as a Competent Person and subject matter expert in cooling and pressure systems.

What We Need From You

We’re looking for someone with a combination of technical skill, hands-on ability, and practical engineering judgement. The ideal candidate will have:

Qualifications & Background

• Ideally a Degree qualification, but an HND/HNC with sufficient practical experience will also be considered.
• Background in one or more of the following areas: Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, Thermal Management, or Pressure Systems.
• Experience in Automotive, Aerospace, Marine, Electronics/Data Centre and or Process cooling systems would be an advantage.

Technical Skills & Experience

• Experience with cooling technologies such as refrigeration systems, chilled water/glycol loops, oil cooling, and potentially cascade systems.
• Understanding of high- and low-pressure systems, pressure-enthalpy diagrams, and fluid properties.
• Skilled in assembling and testing systems, including pressure and leak testing.
• Familiarity with engineering documentation (e.g. circuit diagrams, safety/risk assessments, user manuals, defect reports).
• Knowledge of relevant UK, European, and international standards related to environmental controls, pressure systems, and REACH compliance.

Soft Skills & Tools

• Team working approach with a high degree of personal integrity.
• Practical workmanship skills in the assembly, test and repair of small mechanical and fluid devices (including tool control and recording of such work).
• Well experienced in Microsoft software packages, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of engineering document management and project management fundamentals.
• A full UK driving licence is required.

Security Clearance

You must be eligible for full security clearance. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Life at Leonardo

• Company funded flexible benefits: private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance)
• Flexible working: hybrid options; holidays 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year
• Pension: employer contribution up to 15%
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme with mental health, financial wellbeing support and network groups (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Reservists, Carers)
• Lifestyle: discounted gym membership, Cycle to work
• Training: free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera
• Referral Incentive: reward for referrals
• Bonus Scheme for management level and below

For a full list of company benefits please visit Leonardo’s website.

Leonardo is a global high-tech company in Aerospace, Defence and Security with 45,000+ employees. Leonardo UK operates across multiple sites, offering a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Role details

• Primary Location: GB - Luton
• Contract Type: Hybrid
• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Engineering and Information Technology
• Industries: Defense and Space Manufacturing, Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing, and Computer and Network Security

Milton Keynes, Luton, and surrounding areas frequently appear in job postings; this listing may include multiple UK locations.