Senior or Principal Microwave Engineer in Luton

At Leonardo, our Electronic Warfare self‑protection systems are deployed across fast jet, UAV, land and naval platforms. As a Senior or Principal Microwave Engineer you’ll help design and deliver the microwave subsystems that enable these platforms to detect, respond and survive.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop microwave and RF circuits operating to and beyond 20GHz, supporting advanced EW self‑protection systems.
• Contribute to the development of complex RF subsystems from early concept and requirements derivation through detailed design, integration and test.
• Perform microwave simulation, modelling and optimisation using industry‑standard EM and circuit tools.
• Translate system‑level and RF requirements into robust, manufacturable microwave designs.
• Support hands‑on RF test, measurement and debug using world‑class laboratory facilities.
• Solve technically challenging problems across the RF chain, balancing performance, power, reliability and manufacturability.
• Engage in design reviews and technical discussions with internal stakeholders, partners and customers.
• For Principal‑level engineers: Provide technical leadership and mentoring to early‑career and developing engineers.
• Influence design approaches, tools and best practice across microwave teams.
• Support technical reviews across Leonardo UK sites or customer locations (UK and occasional overseas travel).

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing RF/microwave circuitry or subsystems in complex electronic systems.
• Strong understanding of microwave theory, high‑frequency effects and practical implementation.
• Experience using one or more of: Keysight ADS, Microwave Office, CST Microwave Studio, Ansys HFSS, Siemens EDA/Mentor tools.
• Practical experience with RF and microwave layout techniques.
• Deriving, analysing and reporting against design requirements.
• Experience working within a structured electronic design lifecycle.
• Hands‑on experience with RF test equipment such as network analyzers, spectrum analyzers and RF sources.
• Proven ability to debug failing hardware or test setups.
• Experience interfacing with customers, suppliers or internal stakeholders on technical matters.
• Willingness and capability to support and mentor less‑experienced engineers (expected at Principal level).
• Valuable (but not essential): Experience within the defence or aerospace sector.
• Background in regulated or high‑reliability industries.
• HNC/HND or degree‑level knowledge in Electronic Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics or similar — or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience in some of the following is advantageous: RF synthesizers (DDS or PLL‑based), RF conditioning chains and frequency conversion, passive microwave structures (e.g. filters), high‑power amplifiers or switches, low‑phase‑noise design and measurement, RF chain analysis and budgeting, RF PCB and MMIC design, circuits operating across multi‑octave bandwidths, model‑driven engineering (MATLAB/Simulink), test automation (e.g. LabVIEW).

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, which could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive, company‑funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work‑life balance.
• Generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi‑days each year.
• Award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Eligibility for a bonus scheme for employees at management level and below.
• Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Referral programme with financial reward.
• Flexible benefits of up to £500 annually on private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. Part‑time opportunities available.

Location & Working Conditions

Based primarily at our Luton and Bristol sites, the role offers hybrid working with on‑site time flexing to meet programme and test requirements.

Commitment to Diversity

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers.

Additional Information

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence and Security. The company employs over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK.