Senior RF Engineer

We are looking for a talented, motivated, and experienced RF/Microwave Engineer at Senior level to join our growing hardware engineering team within a radar team in Leonardo, based in the Newcastle office. As an RF Engineer, you will play a critical role in the development, implementation, and maintenance of cutting-edge radio frequency systems. With a focus on ensuring optimal performance and functionality, you will contribute to the advancement of our defence technology.

In this role, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers to design, test, and troubleshoot RF systems. Your expertise in RF circuit design and analysis will be crucial in developing innovative solutions that meet the complex requirements of defence applications. Additionally, you will work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate RF components into larger systems, ensuring seamless functionality and reliable performance.

The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of RF circuit design, microwave techniques, and electromagnetic theory. Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail are essential for success in this role. Additionally, a passion for innovation in the defence and space industry, along with the ability to adapt to evolving technologies and methodologies, will contribute to your excellence in this position.

What you’ll do as a Senior RF Engineer:

• Lead a series of applied research work-packages and feasibility studies, document and report on their findings, and provide RF architectural recommendations to support the creation of a digital antenna concept for our next generation surveillance radar system.
• Work closely with the Antenna Design Authority; Receiver Design Authority; Lead Hardware Specialist while providing RF hardware support to your counterparts within the Digital hardware, Systems, Software, Firmware Engineering, Product Support and Test engineering team.
• Take ownership of a system or functional block of RF PCB assemblies and create high quality and robust designs; fully document and record your work products, keep them under configuration management and provide plans and progress reports; and conduct design reviews within the design review framework.
• Supervise junior responsible engineers from within your system or functional block of RF assemblies.
• Ensure design reviews are planned, executed and completed successfully.
• Prepare robust manufacturing data packs and provide technical support to sub-contracts and engineering interface with manufacturing.
• Solve real integration problems on both current and next generation advanced systems over the entire engineering life cycle.

What we need from you:

Qualifications: first or second degree (BSc, BEng, MEng, MSc, PhD, EngD) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (preferable) or related science (e.g. Physics).

Proven experience (5 years +) in RF circuit design and analysis and a strong understanding of microwave techniques and electromagnetic theory.

Proficiency in using commercial software tools for RF analysis/simulation and schematic capture such as ADS, AWR, CST.

Familiarity with RF measurement equipment and techniques.

Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail and ability to meet project deadlines.

Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

It would be great if you have:

• Specific radar development experience in either antenna or receiver development.
• Advanced research experience/expertise to be applied in a technical study investigation.
• Concept development, defining architectures/partitioning in their domain.
• Lab prototyping to support rapid development.
• Hardware requirement specification definition.
• Experience with providing layout support, including prototyping layouts.