At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead RF testing and validation for innovative RF products, ensuring top-notch performance.
- Company: Join Forefront RF, a pioneering fabless semiconductor company in Cambridge.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible hours, remote work, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of breakthrough RF technology and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; hands-on RF testing experience required.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About Us
Forefront RF is a fabless semiconductor company developing breakthrough RF technology that radically simplifies RF front‑end architectures for mobile and connected devices. Our long‑term vision is to empower anyone to treat global connectivity as a commodity, effortlessly adding it to any device. We lead through innovation, solving our customers' toughest challenges, enabling them to stay ahead by pushing the boundaries of RF design.
Our Values
- One team: We listen, share, and build solutions together. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work. We support one another, embrace challenges and fun, and celebrate collective success.
- Innovation with intent: We operate at the forefront of technology, building innovative pathways to the future that meets real customer needs.
- Solutions driven: We develop world leading manufacturable products that deliver effortless connectivity.
- Customer focused: We act with integrity, hold ourselves accountable, and are guided by a deep commitment to deliver customer focused solutions.
- Sustainable: We design for longevity and reuse—leveraging globally connected RF technology to extend product lifecycles and reduce waste.
Role Overview
We are seeking a skilled Senior RF Test Engineer to join our growing development team in Cambridge, UK. You will lead RF measurement, characterisation, and validation of cutting‑edge RF products, providing critical insight to design and systems teams to ensure strong correlation between simulation and hardware performance. You will be responsible for defining and improving RF test methodologies, developing robust measurement infrastructure, and driving best practices across RF characterisation activities. You will be comfortable independently solving complex measurement challenges, guiding test strategy, and contributing directly to delivering high‑performance RF modules.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead RF characterisation and validation activities, conducting detailed measurements to evaluate and optimise product performance.
- Design, develop, and maintain robust and repeatable RF test setups for the characterisation of RF modules and systems.
- Perform and analyse 3GPP‑aligned RF measurements (LTE and/or NR) to assess transmitter and receiver performance.
- Provide measurement‑driven feedback to RF design and systems teams to ensure strong correlation between simulation, design expectations, and hardware performance.
- Develop and maintain automated test frameworks and scripts to improve measurement efficiency, repeatability, and data integrity.
- Define and uphold RF measurement methodologies, lab best practices, and documentation standards.
- Troubleshoot complex RF measurement setups and hardware issues, supporting development and design reviews with measurement insights.
- Maintain the RF laboratory environment, including test infrastructure, equipment calibration, and measurement best practices.
Requirements
About You
You’re excited by the opportunity to work with breakthrough technologies. You may thrive in this role if you have some or all of the following:
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field.
- Strong hands‑on experience in RF testing, characterisation, and validation of RF systems or modules.
- Practical experience with 3GPP‑based measurements for cellular systems (LTE and/or NR).
- Solid understanding of RF fundamentals including S‑parameters, impedance matching, gain, noise figure, and linearity.
- Proficiency with RF lab equipment (e.g., VNAs, spectrum analysers, signal generators) and developing repeatable automated test setups (Python/MATLAB or similar).
- Ability to interpret RF schematics, debug hardware, and analyse RF system trade‑offs, with practical lab experience.
- Experience maintaining RF lab environments, including equipment calibration, test infrastructure, and measurement best practices.
- Experience leading measurement activities or mentoring engineers is desirable.
People Skills
- Proactive approach to problem‑solving with a resilient attitude towards ambiguity.
- Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills.
- Strong communication and collaboration abilities.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Attention to detail and commitment to producing high‑quality output.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and pension contributions.
- Company Share Option Scheme.
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Weekly company lunches.
- Flexible work hours and remote work options.
- Private medical insurance.
- Life assurance x 4.
- Income protection.
- Healthshield Cash plan.
- Heka flexible benefits platform.
We Believe in Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non‑disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
Senior RF Test Engineer in Cambridge employer: Forefront RF
Forefront RF in Cambridge is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration among multidisciplinary teams. With competitive salaries, flexible working hours, and comprehensive benefits like private medical insurance, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in RF engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior RF Test Engineer in Cambridge
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Senior RF Test Engineer role you’re after at Forefront RF.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
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✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Forefront RF.
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior RF Test Engineer in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Senior RF Test Engineer, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Forefront RF a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Forefront RF specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Forefront RF
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Forefront RF, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Forefront RF want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
