Senior or Principal MMIC Engineer

Senior or Principal MMIC Engineer

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Leonardo

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design cutting-edge MMICs and collaborate with top engineers in radar technology.
  • Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
  • Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values diversity and creativity.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in defence and space sectors while innovating with advanced technologies.
  • Qualifications: Experience in RF circuit design and a passion for learning new skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Your impact

At Leonardo, you won’t just be working on radar systems — you’ll be helping to define what comes next. Join a team at the forefront of phased array radar technology, where innovation, expertise and ambition come together to shape capabilities that matter. We’re seeking talented, driven and experienced Senior/Principal Microwave Engineers to become part of our growing hardware engineering community within our world‑class radar division. Based at our Edinburgh site, you’ll collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, turning cutting‑edge ideas into real‑world solutions.

You will:

  • Create high quality and robust MMIC designs using Gallium Nitride (GaN) or Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) semiconductor technologies.
  • Perform circuit design including High Power Amplifiers, Low Noise Amplifiers, Attenuators, Phase Shifters, Switches, Oscillators etc.
  • Prepare robust manufacturing data packs and provide technical support to sub-contracts and engineering interface with external foundries.
  • Ensure design reviews are planned, executed and completed successfully.
  • Conduct RF on wafer and “chip on board” testing of your designs including debugging, and performance verification to ensure the requirements are met.
  • Collaborate with cross‑disciplinary teams – mechanical, systems, test and manufacture - to ensure seamless integration of your MMIC designs into our larger systems.
  • Mentor early career engineers and contribute to technical reviews and design standards.

What You’ll Bring

To excel in this role, you’ll bring a strong command of RF circuit design, microwave engineering, and electromagnetic theory, paired with the problem‑solving mindset and attention to detail needed to tackle complex technical challenges. A curiosity for emerging technologies, enthusiasm for the defence and space sectors, and adaptability to new methods and tools will also help you thrive as part of our team.

Qualifications:

  • First or second degree (BSc, BEng, MEng, MSc, PhD, EngD) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (preferable) or related science (e.g. Physics).
  • Proven experience (3 years +) in MMIC circuit design and a strong understanding of microwave techniques and electromagnetic theory.
  • Proficiency in using commercial software tools for RF analysis / simulation such as Keysight ADS, AWR Microwave Office & CST Microwave Studio.
  • Hands‑on experience in RF & Microwave measurement techniques such as Vector Network Analysis, Spectrum Analysis etc.
  • Awareness of requirements management, ideally using tools such as IBM Doors.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

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

  • 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 (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
  • 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.

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

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 – Edinburgh

Additional Locations: GB – Newcastle

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid

Senior or Principal MMIC Engineer employer: Leonardo

At Leonardo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration among some of the brightest minds in the radar technology sector. Based in Edinburgh, our employees enjoy generous leave, a robust pension scheme, and access to extensive learning resources, all while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance global safety. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we provide a supportive environment where every team member can thrive and grow their career.

Leonardo

Contact Details:

Leonardo Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior or Principal MMIC Engineer

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 Leonardo for a Senior or Principal MMIC 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 Senior or Principal MMIC Engineer

MMIC Circuit Design
RF Circuit Design
Microwave Engineering
Electromagnetic Theory
Gallium Nitride (GaN)
Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)
High Power Amplifiers

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Leonardo, 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 Leonardo, 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 Leonardo

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 Leonardo.

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 Leonardo. 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 Leonardo love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.