Senior or Principal 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 exciting opportunities for talented and proactive Senior/Principal Microwave Engineers. Whether you're near the beginning of your career or have a wealth of experience, we have a place for you at Leonardo.

Your Impact: As a Senior/Principal Microwave Engineer, you will work 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 you'll bring:

• Experience in most of the below:

• Design techniques using some of Keysight ADS, Microwave Office, CST Microwave Studio, Ansoft HFSS or Siemens EDA Mentor.
• Physical layouts of RF and Microwave circuits.
• Derivation of and reporting against design requirements.
• A structured approach to electronic design.
• RF test methods and equipment including use of Network Analysers, Spectrum Analysers and RF Sources.
• Ability to de-bug failing hardware or test equipment.
• Interfacing with customers, sub-contractors or in-company stakeholders.
• Assisting early careers engineers.

• Experience within the defence industry.
• You might have an HNC/HND or Undergraduate Degree (Electronic Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics) or you may just have lots of skills and experience gained through your hard work.

• RF Synthesisers, using DDS or PLL technologies.
• RF conditioning chains, e.g. Frequency Converters.
• Design of passive microwave structures such as Filters.
• Design of High Power Amplifiers.
• Design of High Power Switches.
• Low phase noise design and measurement.
• RF Chain Analysis.
• RF PCB Design.
• MMIC Design.
• Circuits operating over multi octave bandwidths.
• Model driven engineering using Matlab and Simulink.
• Automating test equipment using 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, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Why join us: At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we're here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now.

Primary Location: GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid