Hybrid Manufacturing Engineer: TWTA NPI & First-Off Lead in Hook

Looking for your next career move in a company that’s shaping the future of satellite communications? At ETL Systems, we’ve been leading the way in RF design and manufacturing for over 35 years. Our technology powers critical satellite communications infrastructure used by the top 20 satellite operators and teleports worldwide, and 75% of NATO governments rely on our equipment to help protect their citizens. We’re not just growing, we’re thriving.

With three Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in International Trade, and recent acquisitions of Atlantic Microwave, SpacePath Communications, and IRT Technologies, we’ve expanded our capabilities across the full RF chain. This includes everything from antenna to modem, as well as high-power amplifiers and RF test equipment. What truly sets us apart is our culture. We are proudly recognised as a Great Place to Work (2024, 2025 & 2026) and named Best Workplace in Manufacturing, Production and Transportation (2025). Our success is built on strong values that shape how we work and grow together:

• Collaboration: We work as one team, united in purpose and committed to shared success.
• Innovation: We embrace curiosity and forward-thinking to drive meaningful progress.
• Excellence: We set ambitious standards and consistently deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Integrity: We act ethically, honestly and with professionalism in everything we do.

If you’re looking to join a company where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a global impact, ETL Systems is the place for you.

33 days’ holiday per year (including UK bank holidays), rising to 38 days over your first five years’ service. Company‑funded Health Cash Plan (helping with everyday healthcare costs). Annual Bonus & Salary Review. Company Pension. Career development and training for all roles. ETL Employee Wellbeing Support: free eye tests, free Employee Assistance Programme, GP anytime. ETL People Perks: discounts on shopping, holidays, gym membership, days out, cinema and dining. Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme. Free on‑site Employee Gym (Hfd HQ) and subsidised Gym memberships via People Perks. Subsidised on‑site employee Café (Hfd HQ), with free refreshments for all employees. Free onsite parking, car share scheme and EV charging. Casual Business Dress. Flexible Hours available with core hours Monday-Friday 8am-4pm (no weekends/evening). Annual company events.

Role Overview: This is a hybrid Manufacturing Engineering role supporting the production and introduction of low-volume, high-complexity Travelling Wave Tube Amplifier (TWTA) based products. The successful candidate will act as the technical bridge between design and production, guiding new and revised products through the full first-off manufacture and test cycle.

Key Accountabilities:

• First-Off Manufacture & New Product Introduction: Lead the first-off build and test of new and design-modified TWTA products, from initial kit receipt through to completed system-level test. Define and establish the production process for new products entering the manufacturing environment, including work instructions, build sequences, and test procedures. Identify and resolve manufacturability issues early in the production cycle, ensuring that lessons learned are documented and acted upon before volume or repeat builds. Collaborate with the design team during design reviews and engineering change assessments to provide manufacturing and test input prior to release.
• Fault Finding & Technical Resolution: Diagnose and resolve complex electronic faults encountered during manufacture and test, working independently to root-cause failures at component, board, and system level. Apply structured fault-finding methodologies (functional analysis, signal tracing, schematic analysis) across analogue power electronics, RF assemblies, control electronics, and embedded systems. Interface with test equipment including oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, network analysers, power meters, and automated test systems to characterise and diagnose product behaviour. Distinguish between design faults, workmanship faults, and component failures, and ensure each is addressed through the appropriate corrective channel. Raise clear, technically substantiated Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) when design issues are identified during manufacture or test. Work closely with design engineers to evaluate proposed changes for manufacturing feasibility, providing practical feedback on assembly complexity, tolerances, and test access. Maintain and update controlled manufacturing documentation including assembly drawings, wiring schedules, test procedures, and build records in line with the engineering change process. Provide structured hand-back reports at the conclusion of each first-off programme, capturing all actions, resolutions, and outstanding design recommendations. Define and drive the industrialisation roadmap for transitioning products from prototype or low-volume status to a repeatable, controlled production process. Identify opportunities to reduce build time, improve yield, and simplify test processes without compromising product integrity or traceability. Develop and maintain Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) assessments for new products, coordinating actions required to advance maturity. Support the introduction of tooling, fixtures, and specialist equipment required for efficient and repeatable manufacture of TWTA products. Produce, and maintain manufacturing “Routings” supporting system generated “Job Cards” for planning, production and quality purposes.

The role requires an experienced engineer who can work autonomously. While no prior experience with TWTA technology is required, a strong foundation in general engineering, covering both electronics and mechanical engineering principles is essential. The engineer will quickly develop TWTA product knowledge on the job and be expected to apply that knowledge to identify faults, implement and document corrective actions, and feed structured design improvement recommendations back to the design team.

Desired skills/qualifications/experience:

• Experience with high-voltage electronics or vacuum electron devices (magnetrons, klystrons, TWTs, or similar).
• Background in satellite communications, radar, EW, or defence electronics where TWTA products are commonly employed.
• Familiarity with FRACAS (Failure Reporting, Analysis and Corrective Action System) processes.
• Experience with ERP or MRP systems for tracking build records and material traceability.
• Exposure to FMEA, process FMEA, or DFM/DFT activities in a product introduction context.
• SC or higher security clearance already held.
• HNC/HND or BEng/MEng in Electronics, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, or a closely related discipline. Equivalent qualification through apprenticeship and demonstrable technical experience will be considered.
• IPC-A-610 Certified IIS or CIS is advantageous.

Location: This role requires you to work on-site at our modern manufacturing facility in Hook, 3 minutes off junction 5 of the M3 - Before applying, please make sure you can commute to Unit 4, Bartley Point, Osborn Way, Hook RG27 9GX.

Closing date: At ETL, we always prioritise efficiency in everything we do. With this in mind, we are looking to commence our interview process without delay and reserve the right to close the opening early should we receive suitable applications.

BPSS Compliant: Due to the nature of our work, all roles require candidates to be BPSS compliant.

VISA Sponsorship: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Agency notice: We are looking to source suitable candidates for this role through our internal referral programme, direct marketing, and talent team. Please note that we do not accept speculative CVs from external suppliers.