At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and development of advanced RF/Microwave solutions for space communications.
- Company: Join Honeywell Aerospace, a leader in innovative aerospace technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence product strategy.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical systems for lunar missions and beyond.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in RF/microwave hardware development and a relevant degree.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Job Description
We are looking for a
Lead RF/Microwave Design Engineer to join our team at Honeywell Aerospace in Edinburgh, where you will play a key role in the design, development, and delivery of advanced engineering solutions that drive innovation, performance, and reliability across critical systems.
In this role, you will contribute to the development of sophisticated transceiver solutions for space communications systems including but not limited to lunar missions, ensuring robust design, integration, and performance of components and subsystems.
Your strong technical expertise and hands-on approach will be essential in delivering high-quality, reliable systems that meet demanding mission and customer requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Acts as design authority and technical owner for active RF/Microwave products
- Architect RF design solutions at system and module level
- Assess high level customer requirements, understand customer end use application needs and define lower-level RF system/module requirements accordingly
- Perform RF architectural trade-off, link budget analysis, RF line up analysis, linearity, and dynamic range calculations
- Design and develop RF hardware for communication systems from UHF to Ka Band for telemetry, telecommand and payload data transmitter applications
- Design active RF circuits including LNAs, SSPAs, gain blocks, mixers, frequency converters, frequency synthesizers and PLLs
- Conduct RF simulations using tools such as AWR, ADS, CST, HFSS, and MATLAB
- Develop RF schematics, perform component selection, and support PCB layout team for PCB manufacturing
- Perform RF testing and troubleshooting using VNAs, spectrum analysers, signal generators, power meters, oscilloscopes, and noise figure analysers
- Support environmental and qualification testing campaigns EMI/EMC, thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, etc.
- Investigate and resolve RF performance issues across development, integration, and production
- Produce technical documentation including design description, test plans, test procedures, verification matrixes
- Support product owner and project engineer in product development and meeting technical milestones
- Support customer technical interactions and design reviews
- Support engineering manager in technical proposals and bid preparation
- YOU MUST HAVE
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field
- Minimum 10 years’ industrial experience in RF/microwave hardware development
- Experience in aerospace, defence, or space communication systems, including exposure to mission-critical RF applications
- Proven experience in developing and delivering RF engineering solutions from requirements through to implementation
- Understanding of RF system development lifecycle and qualification processes, including EMI/EMC, environmental testing and production
- Experience developing RF architectures and translating customer requirements into engineering solutions
• Strong understanding of RF system design principles, including
- RF Line-up analysis
- Link budget calculation
- Linearity, Intermodulation, EVM, transmitter performance
- Noise figure, SNR, BER, Receiver sensitivity
- Phase noise and frequency synthesis
- Frequency planning
- Hands-on experience with RF measurements and debugging using vector network analysers, spectrum analysers, signal generators, power sensors, noise sources etc.
- Experience supporting formal engineering design reviews (e. g. SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and structured development processes
- Ability to work independently on complex technical tasks with limited supervision
- Ability to lead technical reviews and communicate effectively with customers, suppliers and multidisciplinary teams
- Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality delivery
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and across multidisciplinary teams
- Commitment to engineering excellence, continuous improvement, and high-quality delivery in a fast-paced environment
- WE VALUE
- Experience in aerospace, defence or space applications
- Familiarity with ECSS, MIL-STD or equivalent industry standards
- Experience acting as design authority or product technical lead
- Experience supporting bids, proposals and customer-facing technical activities
- Demonstrated ability to balance technical excellence with programme delivery objectives
- Awareness of manufacturing, supply-chain and lifecycle considerations
- Experience influencing product strategy and technology roadmaps
- Strong analytical thinking and structured problem-solving capability
Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on aircraft across commercial aviation, defense and space — from engines and cockpit electronics to cabin systems, mechanical components and connectivity solutions.
Our technology helps operators fly more safely, reduce fuel consumption, improve on-time performance and deliver a better experience for the people on board.
As aviation continues to evolve, we're also developing systems to support autonomous and supersonic platforms, bringing the same focus on safety and efficiency to the next era of flight.
With approximately 36,000 employees worldwide and net sales of $17.4B in 2025, Honeywell Aerospace is one of the largest dedicated aerospace companies in the world.
Explore our businesses: https://www. honeywellaerospace. com
Electronic Solutions develops the avionics, navigation systems, sensors and electromagnetic defense technology that help aircraft perform safely and with precision.
Our systems are on board 90% of the world's aircraft — serving commercial aviation, defense and space operators from integrated flight deck platforms with 30-plus years in service to radiation-hardened systems trusted for human spaceflight.
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Lead RF/Microwave Design Engineer employer: Honeywell Aerospace
Honeywell Aerospace in Bristol is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration among its multidisciplinary engineering teams. Employees benefit from extensive professional growth opportunities within a world-leading technology company, alongside competitive compensation and a commitment to work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in advanced technology development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead RF/Microwave Design Engineer
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Honeywell Aerospace for a Lead RF/Microwave Design Engineer. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead RF/Microwave Design Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Honeywell Aerospace, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Honeywell Aerospace, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Honeywell Aerospace
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Honeywell Aerospace.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Honeywell Aerospace. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Honeywell Aerospace love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
