Senior or Principal RF/ Microwave Engineer
Senior or Principal RF/ Microwave Engineer

Senior or Principal RF/ Microwave Engineer

Broughton Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Q

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and test RF/Microwave circuitry for advanced airborne Radar systems.
  • Company: Join a leading aerospace and defence company based in Edinburgh.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working options after initial training and competitive perks.
  • Why this job: Be part of innovative projects that impact national security and technology.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in RF/Microwave design; degree in Electronic Engineering or related field required.
  • Other info: UK citizenship is mandatory for security clearance.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

The Senior or Principal RF/ Microwave engineers would be responsible for design, commissioning and test of RF/ Microwave circuitry on complex systems for airborne Radar products. The successful candidate may be required to supervise other less experienced RF / Microwave engineers working on the same project. The role will be based at our customer’s site in Edinburgh and may allow for hybrid working after an initial period of familiarisation onsite.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Creating high-quality and robust RF/ Microwave circuit designs
  • Documenting and recording deliverables
  • Supporting integration & verification activities at hardware and system level
  • Keeping designs under configuration control
  • Providing progress reports

Work Experience

Essential

  • At least 5 years’ RF/ Microwave design experience including:
  • Microwave PCB materials & design techniques
  • Microwave Sub-System design
  • Knowledge of microwave power amplifier design & technology
  • Design of complex microwave switch matrix
  • Application of microwave GaAs/ GaN MMICs
  • Design of complex passive microwave structures
  • S-parameter manipulation
  • EM 3D and 2D simulation techniques
  • Non-linear circuit simulation and modelling
  • Matching network design
  • Microwave component selection
  • Understanding of Radar / RF Systems, including experience of Frequency synthesizer design, Receiver architectures and design, General RF and Microwave PCB-level design with COTS active & passive components
  • Proficient in one or more of the following RF / Microwave design tools: AWR Microwave office, CST Microwave studio, Keysight (Agilent) ADS, or AWR Visual System Simulator
  • Ability to analyse system requirements and derive detailed hardware requirements
  • Experience of debugging & testing new RF / Microwave circuit designs
  • Previous experience of the full hardware design lifecycle and presenting designs for peer/ formal design reviews
  • Self-motivated, with an aptitude to problem solve and drive difficult issues to conclusion
  • Ability to coordinate day to day technical activities, liaising closely with the Project Engineering Lead, Lead RF / Microwave engineer & other engineering disciplines
  • Experience of liaising with Manufacturing / Production colleagues and external suppliers of key components and assemblies
  • Excellent communication (oral & written) & interpersonal skills
  • Experience in writing technical reports / documentation

Desirable

  • Relevant experience in the Aerospace/ Defence industry or on other complex/ high-reliability systems
  • Previous experience of designing DDS, PLL, DAC, ADC circuits, high dynamic range / low-noise design & minimising phase noise
  • Experience of hardware requirements capture, requirements management tools and formal verification of hardware requirements
  • Experience of supervising other RF/ Microwave engineers, planning and managing work for yourself and a small team

Qualifications

  • Honours or Masters degree in Electronic Engineering or a related STEM subject, with specialisation in RF/ Microwave circuit design
  • UK citizenship is mandatory to be able to clear the background checks and obtain SC clearance
  • Current valid SC clearance would be an advantage

Senior or Principal RF/ Microwave Engineer employer: Quest Global

Join a leading aerospace and defence company in Edinburgh, where innovation meets collaboration. We offer a dynamic work culture that fosters professional growth through mentorship and hands-on experience, alongside competitive benefits and the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements after initial onboarding. As a Senior or Principal RF/Microwave Engineer, you'll play a pivotal role in cutting-edge projects while enjoying a supportive environment that values your expertise and contributions.
Q

Contact Detail:

Quest Global Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior or Principal RF/ Microwave Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the RF/Microwave engineering field, especially those who have experience in aerospace or defence. Attend industry conferences or local meetups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise in RF/Microwave design tools like AWR Microwave Office or CST Microwave Studio by participating in online forums or contributing to open-source projects. This can help you stand out as a knowledgeable candidate.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for potential interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of radar systems and microwave circuit design. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

✨Tip Number 4

If you have supervisory experience, be prepared to discuss your leadership style and how you've managed teams in past projects. Highlight any successful outcomes from your leadership to demonstrate your capability in this area.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior or Principal RF/ Microwave Engineer

RF/Microwave Circuit Design
Microwave PCB Materials & Design Techniques
Microwave Sub-System Design
Microwave Power Amplifier Design
Complex Microwave Switch Matrix Design
GaAs/GaN MMIC Application
Passive Microwave Structures Design
S-Parameter Manipulation
EM 3D and 2D Simulation Techniques
Non-linear Circuit Simulation and Modelling
Matching Network Design
Microwave Component Selection
Understanding of Radar/RF Systems
Frequency Synthesizer Design
Receiver Architectures Design
Proficiency in RF/Microwave Design Tools (AWR Microwave Office, CST Microwave Studio, Keysight ADS)
System Requirements Analysis
Debugging & Testing of RF/Microwave Circuit Designs
Full Hardware Design Lifecycle Experience
Technical Report Writing
Excellent Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Supervisory Experience in RF/Microwave Engineering
Project Coordination Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in RF/Microwave design, especially the specific skills mentioned in the job description. Use keywords from the job listing to demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria.

Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also explains why you're passionate about working in the aerospace/defence industry. Mention any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your expertise in RF/Microwave engineering.

Showcase Technical Skills: In your application, emphasise your proficiency with RF/Microwave design tools like AWR Microwave Office or CST Microwave Studio. Provide examples of how you've used these tools in past projects to solve complex engineering problems.

Highlight Leadership Experience: If you have experience supervising other engineers, make sure to include this in your application. Discuss how you've managed teams and coordinated technical activities, as this is a key aspect of the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Quest Global

✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise

Be prepared to discuss your experience with RF/Microwave design in detail. Highlight specific projects where you applied your knowledge of microwave PCB materials, power amplifier design, and circuit simulation techniques. This will demonstrate your capability and confidence in the field.

✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios

Expect to face technical challenges during the interview. Practice articulating your problem-solving process, especially in debugging and testing RF/Microwave circuits. Use examples from your past work to illustrate how you approached and resolved complex issues.

✨Emphasise Team Leadership Skills

Since the role may involve supervising less experienced engineers, be ready to discuss your leadership style and experiences. Share examples of how you've coordinated technical activities and managed a small team, showcasing your ability to guide others effectively.

✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively

Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as you may need to liaise with colleagues from different engineering disciplines. Also, prepare to discuss your experience in writing technical reports and documentation.

Senior or Principal RF/ Microwave Engineer
Quest Global
Q
  • Senior or Principal RF/ Microwave Engineer

    Broughton
    Full-Time
    48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-06-21

  • Q

    Quest Global

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