At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead optimisation of advanced RF geolocation systems for national security applications.
- Company: High-tech aerospace firm known for innovation and precision.
- Benefits: Supportive culture, career development, and impactful work enhancing global safety.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for growth in aerospace and satellite communications.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mission-critical applications with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree in engineering or related fields; strong Python skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Organisation Overview: Our Client operates within the high-tech aerospace and satellite communications industry, specialising in advanced RF geolocation systems used in critical national security applications. Renowned for innovation and precision, they offer a collaborative environment driven by technical excellence, continuous growth, and impactful work that enhances global safety and operational capabilities. Employees benefit from a supportive culture that values expertise, development, and cutting-edge technological achievements.
Role Summary: Due to ongoing operational success and strategic expansion, our Client is seeking a Senior RF Systems Specialist to lead the optimisation of a sophisticated space-based RF geolocation platform. This role is pivotal in refining algorithms that determine the positions of RF emitters via satellite constellations, directly impacting mission-critical applications. The position offers an exciting opportunity to work on a mature, real-world system - taking it to new levels of accuracy and performance - across an environment that values pragmatic engineering solutions driven by data analysis and iterative improvements.
Responsibilities:
- Take ownership of existing RF geolocation algorithms, enhancing their performance through rigorous mathematical and practical analysis.
- Deeply understand and assess the current system, pinpointing limitations and areas for gain.
- Enhance measurement models and calibration methods for timing, antenna alignment, and orbital parameters.
- Conduct detailed error analysis including satellite ephemeris uncertainties, environmental propagation effects, and system noise sources.
- Develop and validate algorithmic updates with real mission data, iterating based on observed results.
- Implement improvements in collaboration with software teams, ensuring robust and accurate operational performance.
- Extend system capabilities with new measurement types and adapt to evolving mission requirements.
- Document assumptions, models, and validation processes for client review and system transparency.
- Support system integration and troubleshoot anomalies, tracing issues through the signal processing workflow.
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, aerospace, or related fields, with a focus on estimation, signal processing, or statistical modelling.
- Proven expertise in estimation theory, linear algebra, probability, and optimisation applied within RF or signal processing contexts.
- Strong practical skills in Python, with a history of prototype development, data analysis, and algorithm validation.
- Experience working with complex, imperfect datasets - sparse truth data, incomplete calibration - and making pragmatic engineering tradeoffs.
- Ability to interpret, understand, and improve existing codebases, particularly for geolocation or RF signal processing systems.
- Knowledge of RF propagation physics, satellite manoeuvring, and orbital mechanics relevant to space-based sensing systems.
- Capable of translating theoretical models into operational algorithms validated against real-world data.
Desirable Skills & Experience:
- Hands-on experience with TDOA, FDOA, AoA, or hybrid RF geolocation techniques.
- Background in electronic warfare, SIGINT, GNSS, or radio remote sensing systems.
- Prior work within defence, satellite, or aerospace sectors, especially in spaceborne RF systems or phased array antenna design.
- Experience reviewing and validating production-level code in C++ or similar languages.
- Familiarity with satellite constellation optimisation and orbital dynamics.
Call to Action: If you possess the necessary expertise and are eager to contribute to a mission-critical, technically challenging environment, please submit your tailored CV for consideration. We look forward to discussing how your skills can support our Client's continued success in space-based RF geolocation systems.
Principal RF Engineer in Glasgow employer: IO Associates
Our Client is an exceptional employer in the high-tech aerospace and satellite communications sector, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment that prioritises innovation and technical excellence. Employees enjoy a supportive culture that fosters professional development and provides opportunities to work on impactful projects that enhance global safety. With a focus on continuous growth and cutting-edge technology, this role as Principal RF Engineer promises meaningful contributions to mission-critical applications while advancing your career in a thriving industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal RF Engineer in Glasgow
✨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 IO Associates for a Principal RF 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 Principal RF Engineer in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at IO Associates, 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 IO Associates, 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 IO Associates
✨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 IO Associates.
✨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 IO Associates. 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 IO Associates love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
