At a Glance
- Tasks: Support sales teams with technical expertise and design solutions for optical telecoms products.
- Company: High-tech electronics company specialising in RF over fibre systems and more.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, share incentives, and generous leave options.
- Other info: Embrace a curious, hands-on culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Solid RF engineering fundamentals; customer-facing experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
They are a high-technology electronics company specialising in RF over fibre systems, antennas, software-defined radios, power electronics, and test and measurement equipment. The business operates across four distinct divisions serving government, military, commercial, broadcast, and scientific markets globally. Its products are used in satellite ground stations, satcom teleports, cellular networks, TV broadcasting, GPS timing distribution, and defence communications - and are known across the industry for their dynamic range, reliability, and five-year warranty.
Part of a well-capitalised defence and security group, the business retains full operational autonomy, agility, and its entrepreneurial SME culture. The business has undergone significant growth in its product development function, creating the need for a dedicated Applications Engineering capability that can operate at the pace of sales without disrupting longer-term R&D programmes. This hire brings the Applications Engineering team to three people and ensures the business has the technical resource to support an increasing volume and complexity of customer enquiries as it expands across the UK, EMEA, the Far East, and the US.
The RF Applications Engineer acts as the trusted technical advisor to the sales teams and their customers. The role bridges the gap between the commercial and engineering functions - engaging early in the problem space, designing solutions from the company's optical telecoms product portfolio, and building customer confidence through to design completion. This is not a product development role: it exists purely to support sales, requiring fast turnaround and a very different rhythm to R&D.
The key requirement is solid RF engineering fundamentals - the products are optical telecoms, but the knowledge base comes from RF, and prior optical experience is not required.
- Provide technical support to all divisional sales teams on new and non-standard optical systems quotes, ensuring customer needs are fully understood.
- Assist field sales teams in recognising new design-in opportunities across the company's broad telecommunications product range.
- Deliver presentations and demonstrations to customers and their technical teams, building confidence from architectural evaluation through to design completion.
- Support factory acceptance testing and guide installation teams during deployment.
- Support customer analysis activities to feed market intelligence into product management, ensuring future product developments address real customer problems.
- Contribute to tender responses and business development proposals alongside sales and commercial teams.
Prior customer-facing or technical sales support experience is highly desirable. Happy working on the phone and in front of customers; familiarity with optical telecoms, RF over fibre, or microwave photonics (training on products will be provided). Familiarity with engineering quality management processes (ISO 9001 or similar).
The company's culture suits those who view engineering as more than just a job - people who are curious, hands-on, and constantly seeking to learn and push boundaries. Success here is less about ticking every technical box and more about mindset: the business welcomes individuals with diverse RF or electronics backgrounds who bring strong core skills and a flexible, problem-solving approach.
The ideal candidate will be technically credible and customer-confident - equally at home working through a link budget and presenting a solution to a client's engineering team. Candidates should expect to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance, which requires at least five years of continuous residency in the UK and the right to work in the UK.
Highly competitive base salary ~ Company bonus scheme (8% OTE - paid out consistently over the last 5+ years) ~ Group Share Incentive Plan (tax-efficient, rewards long tenure and group success) ~ Defined contribution pension plan (6.5% employer contribution) ~ Option to purchase additional annual leave days ~ Cycle-to-work scheme ~ Employee Assistance Programme ~ 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays ~ Annual summer and Christmas events, plus monthly engineering socials.
Option 1: 08:00–16:30, Monday to Thursday. Option 2: 08:30–17:00, Monday to Thursday. Candidates must be eligible for Security Check (SC) clearance.
Application Engineer - I in Swindon employer: Banner Lane
As a high-technology electronics company, we pride ourselves on fostering an entrepreneurial culture that encourages curiosity and hands-on learning. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through competitive salaries, a robust bonus scheme, and opportunities for professional development, all while working in a dynamic environment that supports innovation across the RF and optical telecoms sectors. Located in a thriving market, we offer a collaborative work culture where your technical expertise can directly impact our success in serving diverse global clients.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Application Engineer - I in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their products, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your technical explanations! Since you'll be bridging the gap between sales and engineering, being able to clearly explain complex concepts in simple terms is key. Role-play with a friend or record yourself to improve.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to showcase your problem-solving skills! Be ready to discuss past experiences where you tackled challenges head-on. This will demonstrate your mindset and fit for the dynamic culture of the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Application Engineer - I in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Technical Side:Make sure to highlight your solid RF engineering fundamentals in your application. We want to see how your background aligns with our optical telecoms products, even if you haven't worked directly with them before.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter! Tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their experience with what we do.
Be Customer-Focused:Since this role is all about bridging the gap between sales and engineering, make sure to showcase any customer-facing or technical sales support experience you have. We’re looking for someone who can build confidence with clients!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Banner Lane
✨Know Your RF Fundamentals
Brush up on your RF engineering basics before the interview. Since the role requires solid RF knowledge, be prepared to discuss key concepts and how they relate to optical telecoms. This will show that you understand the technical side of the job and can bridge the gap between sales and engineering.
✨Showcase Your Customer-Facing Skills
Since this position involves a lot of interaction with customers, think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully communicated technical information. Be ready to explain how you’ve built confidence with clients and supported their needs, as this is crucial for the Applications Engineer role.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to tackle some hypothetical scenarios during the interview. Practice articulating your thought process when faced with a technical challenge or customer query. This will demonstrate your flexible, problem-solving mindset, which is highly valued in this role.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Familiarise yourself with the company’s entrepreneurial SME culture and their approach to engineering. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, especially your curiosity and hands-on attitude. This will help you stand out as a candidate who fits well within their team.