Senior / Principal MMIC Engineer

Senior / Principal MMIC Engineer

Full-Time 55000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design cutting-edge MMICs and collaborate with top engineers in radar technology.
  • Company: Join Leonardo, a leader in innovative radar systems.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.
  • Other info: Opportunities for mentorship and continuous learning in a dynamic environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in defence and space sectors while advancing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in MMIC design and RF circuit knowledge required.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.

Your impact At Leonardo, you won’t just be working on radar systems — you’ll be helping to define what comes next. Join a team at the forefront of phased array radar technology, where innovation, expertise and ambition come together to shape capabilities that matter. We’re seeking talented, driven and experienced Senior/Principal Microwave Engineers to become part of our growing hardware engineering community within our world‑class radar division. Based at our Edinburgh site, you’ll collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, turning cutting‑edge ideas into real‑world solutions.

You will:

  • Create high quality and robust MMIC designs using Gallium Nitride (GaN) or Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) semiconductor technologies.
  • Perform circuit design including High Power Amplifiers, Low Noise Amplifiers, Attenuators, Phase Shifters, Switches, Oscillators etc.
  • Prepare robust manufacturing data packs and provide technical support to sub-contracts and engineering interface with external foundries.
  • Ensure design reviews are planned, executed and completed successfully.
  • Conduct RF on wafer and “chip on board” testing of your designs including debugging, and performance verification to ensure the requirements are met.
  • Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams – mechanical, systems, test and manufacture - to ensure seamless integration of your MMIC designs into our larger systems.
  • Mentor early career engineers and contribute to technical reviews and design standards.

What you’ll bring To excel in this role, you’ll bring a strong command of RF circuit design, microwave engineering, and electromagnetic theory, paired with the problem‑solving mindset and attention to detail needed to tackle complex technical challenges. A curiosity for emerging technologies, enthusiasm for the defence and space sectors, and adaptability to new methods and tools will also help you thrive as part of our team.

Qualifications:

  • First or second degree (BSc, BEng, MEng, MSc, PhD, EngD) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (preferable) or related science (e.g. Physics).
  • Proven experience (3 years +) in MMIC circuit design and a strong understanding of microwave techniques and electromagnetic theory.
  • Proficiency in using commercial software tools for RF analysis/simulation such as Keysight ADS, AWR Microwave Office & CST Microwave Studio.
  • Hands‑on experience in RF & Microwave measurement techniques such as Vector Network Analysis, Spectrum Analysis etc.
  • Awareness of requirements management, ideally using tools such as IBM Doors.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Why join us At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company‑funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

  • Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi‑days each year.
  • Secure your Future: Benefit from our award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
  • Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
  • Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
  • Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
  • Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
  • Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
  • Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Primary Location: GB - Edinburgh Additional Locations: GB - Newcastle Contract Type: Permanent Hybrid Working: Hybrid

Senior / Principal MMIC Engineer employer: 慨正橡扯

At Leonardo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for those in the Senior/Principal MMIC Engineer role at our Edinburgh site. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, which includes generous leave, a robust pension scheme, and access to mental health support. We foster a collaborative work culture that encourages professional growth through mentorship opportunities and continuous learning, ensuring that our engineers are not only shaping the future of radar technology but also thriving in their careers.

Contact Details:

慨正橡扯 Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior / Principal MMIC Engineer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Leonardo on LinkedIn or through industry events. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Make sure you can discuss your experience with MMIC designs and RF circuit design confidently. We want to see your passion for microwave engineering shine through!

Tip Number 3

Show off your problem-solving skills during interviews. Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to MMIC design challenges. We love candidates who can think on their feet and come up with innovative solutions!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Leonardo.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior / Principal MMIC Engineer

MMIC Circuit Design
RF Circuit Design
Microwave Engineering
Electromagnetic Theory
Gallium Nitride (GaN) Technology
Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Technology
High Power Amplifiers

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior/Principal MMIC Engineer role. Highlight your expertise in RF circuit design and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving GaN or GaAs technologies.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about microwave engineering and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention your curiosity for emerging technologies and your enthusiasm for the defence and space sectors!

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex technical challenges in the past. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate a strong problem-solving mindset and attention to detail.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our innovative team at Leonardo.

How to prepare for a job interview at 慨正橡扯

Know Your MMIC Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of MMIC circuit design and the specific semiconductor technologies mentioned in the job description, like GaN and GaAs. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've tackled complex RF challenges.

Showcase Your Software Skills

Familiarise yourself with the commercial software tools listed, such as Keysight ADS and AWR Microwave Office. If you’ve used them before, prepare to share specific examples of how you applied these tools in your previous work.

Collaboration is Key

Leonardo values teamwork, so think about times when you’ve successfully collaborated with cross-disciplinary teams. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to seamless integration of designs and mentor early career engineers.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect technical questions related to RF measurements and microwave techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of Vector Network Analysis and Spectrum Analysis, and be ready to explain your approach to debugging and performance verification.