What is your current role?
In my current role, I sit across two projects, predominantly working on the ECRS Mk2 radar for the UK Typhoon fleet, but also on the Defence Aid Sub-System (DASS) for the Typhoon. It’s nice to work on a product that’s quite mature and later in its lifecycle doing development upgrades for future Typhoon capability, alongside a fresh product where I have the opportunity to make a big impact on the system’s development early on.
What does a typical day/week look like?
My job focuses on integration, ensuring all the hardware, firmware and software work together. Following initial testing, it’s delivered to the customer for flight trials. We also work with suppliers, undertaking early functionality testing on a testbed aircraft to see how systems react.
Because my role is so varied, I could be doing testing in a lab, collaborating with a customer like the Royal Air Force, or working with a supplier. Since Leonardo is the design authority for DASS, we work closely with our partners in Italy, Spain and Germany who make parts for our systems. This all means I’m kept on my toes, with lots of travelling in Europe and all over the UK. Travelling is something I very much enjoy, and the mix of work keeps me stimulated.
Why did you choose to join Leonardo and how has your career developed?
I was predicted excellent GCSEs grades, so my school advised me to go to sixth form and complete A-levels as a stepping stone towards university. However, during sixth form I started to underperform due to the stress of A-levels, and it impacted my mental health. Whilst this was going on, I had just been formally diagnosed as having dyslexia, and was still trying to find out how I learn best and identifying my coping mechanisms.
During the summer of my first year at sixth form, I completed a week’s work experience at Leonardo. I was having the time of my life learning about engineering and meeting new people. The whole week inspired me. My second year at college did not go very well, which left me wondering ‘I am never going to get to work for a company like that?’.
After my A-levels, having decided that university wasn’t for me, I worked full-time for two years. However, I still dreamt of becoming an engineer, but with no idea of how I was going to do it. I couldn’t go back to full-time education as I was already earning, and I didn’t think it would suit my learning style. So, I looked into apprenticeships, and they almost seemed too good to be true. I would go to college one day a week to get professional qualifications, and I would be applying everything I learnt to the work in my role, which would reinforce my knowledge and keep me engaged and motivated – and I would still be earning an income! It was the perfect solution to start my career and achieve my dream job as an engineer.
My Level 3 Apprenticeship was very intense, but I completed it in September 2023, qualifying as a technician. I was then promoted to senior technician in November 2024. Naturally you progress in your role; the more experience you gain, the more hands-on you are, and the more you get involved in a variety of activities.
Looking ahead, I’m planning to start a degree relating to data science in September 2025, and then work my way up at Leonardo. Having finished my apprenticeship, it was the conclusion of my first five-year plan that I wrote after my A-levels. However, I hadn’t thought about the following years, so have recently developed my new five-year plan covering career aspirations, professional training and development requirements, STEM engagement opportunities and personal life ambitions – all of which gives me a focus.
Would you recommend working as a technician in Leonardo, and why?
People always say the best engineers have been technicians. This is because you gain practical, hands-on skills by implementing the engineers’ solutions and gaining an understanding of how the system works in the real world. With this knowledge of the system and understanding of how someone will implement the solution, you start thinking of it as a whole, where you can see it from both sides.
Having this unique insight, which you get as a Leonardo technician, enables us to develop the best possible solutions that will work in real life, not just on paper. It also stands me in good stead for my future aspirations as an engineer.
What has been your greatest achievement at Leonardo so far?
Being named Leonardo’s UK Electronics Apprentice of the Year (Second Year) was a real highlight, while I’m also very proud to have completed my apprenticeship and later gain promotion. In terms of projects I’ve been involved with, on a flight trial last year, we built new wiring harnesses and jigs to test two systems which had never previously been tested or flown together. The whole thing was a great success.
What do you get up to outside of work?
My hobby is picking up new hobbies!
I love doing things that help improve my wellbeing, and I recently have started going to more pilates and yoga classes at the gym. The same people go to the classes every week and I have been able to make some friends with similar interests. I like the feeling that I’m part of a little community and I feel a sense of achievement after every class because I was able to show up for myself. When I come out of the gym, I’m so chilled, so Zen. I love it! I also enjoy spending time outdoors walking, hiking and surfing.
What are your future career aspirations?
I want to do something I enjoy. This could be as VP Engineering, though I don’t really know what the job involves. I’d like to dip my toe into management and see what it’s like. If I don’t become a VP or similar level role, then I would definitely want to be a technical specialist.