Graduate RF / Microwave Engineer in Edinburgh

Join the Graduate RF / Microwave Engineer role at Leonardo. You will be part of the 18-month Graduate Programme, designed to develop you into a leading technical professional, with coaching and support to achieve your objectives and pursue chartership if desired. You will spend at least three or four days each week on site in Edinburgh, designing, testing or integrating hardware and contributing to challenging and exciting project work alongside subject matter experts.

Responsibilities

• Gain experience across the development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, design, implementation, integration, applied research and test.
• Collaborate with engineers from other disciplines (Systems, Software, Mechanical) and interface with customers and end users as opportunities arise.
• Develop microwave and RF circuit design skills, working on frequencies up to 40 GHz, with mentorship to ensure high performance and compliance with system specifications and safety/environmental standards.
• Use simulation and modelling tools to design products such as transmit/receive modules (TRMs), up/down converters, antennas, filters, and highly integrated RF and digital boards.
• Contribute to the design and development of key components in high-performance avionic sensor systems.
• Test and assess designs in laboratories and anechoic chambers, ensuring robust performance in extreme conditions for long-term use.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration of RF/microwave components into larger systems.
• Prepare technical documentation and present findings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to technical reviews; opportunities may include travel across the UK or abroad for reviews.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives for hardware design processes and methodologies.

Qualifications / What You’ll Bring

• Minimum of a 2:2 Bachelor’s, Integrated Master’s degree, or higher (MSc or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or related discipline.
• Preferred degrees include Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Communications Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Mathematics.
• Strong interest in microwave and RF design; basic familiarity with design tools like CST, HFSS, ADS or similar is desirable but not required as training will be provided.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative mindset.
• Proactive learning of new technologies is crucial.

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 security controls (National Security Vetting) may apply, potentially including eligibility for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do, contributing to innovation, technology and global safety. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports wellbeing, career development and work–life balance.

• Time to recharge: up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your future: pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your wellbeing matters: free mental health support, financial advice, and employee networks promoting inclusion and diversity.
• Rewarding performance: eligibility for our bonus scheme.
• Join in our success: opportunity to participate in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
• Tailored perks: flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.

Be part of something bigger – apply now!