Senior Microwave Engineer in Luton

Would you like to help us deliver the innovative Microwave design that forms part of our self-protection systems installed on fast jet, UAV, land and naval platforms? We have an exciting opportunity for a talented and enthusiastic Microwave Engineer.

What you will do

As a Senior Microwave Engineer, you will work both independently and with the support of experts in their field, using world-class facilities to deliver designs that work to beyond 20GHz, and help form the complex electronic systems that meet our challenging future customer requirements. The scope of work can range from design and technical problem solving to product development. This role may even take you across the UK or abroad for technical reviews.

What we need from you

• Design techniques using at least one of Keysight ADS, Microwave Office, CST Microwave Studio
• Physical layouts of RF and Microwave circuits
• Reporting against test limits or design requirements
• RF test methods and equipment including use of VNAs, Spectrum Analysers, RF Sources
• Interfacing with stakeholders
• Design principles for RF amplifiers
• Experience within the defence industry
• A Postgraduate Degree (Electronic Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics)
• Prior academic credits, e.g. published papers, conference presentations
• RF Synthesizers, using DDS or PLL technologies
• RF conditioning chains, e.g. Frequency Converters
• Design of passive microwave structures such as Couplers, Splitters & Filters
• Design of High-Power Amplifiers
• Design of High-Power Switches
• Circuits operating over multi-octave bandwidths
• Automating test equipment using LabVIEW
• Ability to de‑bug failing hardware or test equipment

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, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

For more information and guidance please visit:

Life at Leonardo

• Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options.
• Company funded flexible benefits: Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance)
• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year
• Pension: Award winning pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution)
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme with access to free mental health support, financial wellbeing support and network groups to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity)
• Lifestyle: Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme
• Training: Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera and Linkedin Learning
• Referral Incentive: You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member
• Bonus: Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global high‑tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 8,000 are based at 8 sites throughout the UK.

At Leonardo UK, we believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment unlocks our people’s full potential and drives innovation and creativity. We work hard to offer a welcoming, accessible and inclusive place to work for all of our people, creating a culture where everyone can thrive, feel safe and have a sense of belonging and connection.