Are you an experienced RF Engineer looking to work on some of the most exciting developments in satellite and space communications?
Contract: Senior Advanced Wireless / RF Engineer (QKDSat)
Location: Edinburgh (fully onsite)
Period: 6 months initially, with expected extension up to 12 months and potential permanent opportunities (TBC)
Pay: £35.90 per hour PAYE only (plus 12.07% holiday pay in addition)
Hours: Mon - Fri. 37.5 hours/week. (Mon-Thur: 8.15am - 5.00pm. Fri: 8.15am - 1.00pm)
We are recruiting two Senior Advanced Wireless / RF Engineers to join an innovative engineering team supporting a major international satellite quantum communications programme. Working on QKDSat (Satellite Quantum Programme), you will contribute to the design and development of advanced RF hardware and communication systems supporting secure, next-generation satellite communications. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced RF specialist to take technical ownership of complex engineering challenges and contribute to a highly innovative aerospace and space technology project.
Main Responsibilities:
- Design and develop RF hardware for communication systems operating from UHF through to Ka Band, supporting telemetry, telecommand and datalink applications.
- Design active RF circuits, including Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs), Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs), driver amplifiers, mixers, frequency converters, frequency synthesizers and Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs).
- Undertake RF architecture trade-offs, link budget calculations, gain/noise analysis, linearity assessments and dynamic range calculations.
- Develop RF schematics, select components and support PCB layout activities.
- Perform RF simulations using tools such as AWR, ADS, CST, HFSS and MATLAB.
- Conduct RF testing, measurement and troubleshooting using VNAs, spectrum analysers, signal generators, power meters, oscilloscopes and noise figure analysers.
- Support environmental and qualification testing, including EMI/EMC, thermal vacuum, vibration and shock testing.
- Investigate and resolve RF performance issues throughout development, integration and production.
- Produce technical documentation, including design reports, test procedures, verification reports and design review documentation.
- Support Product Owners and Project Engineers in achieving technical milestones and delivering engineering solutions.
- Participate in customer technical discussions and formal engineering design reviews.
Ideal candidate profile:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications or a related discipline.
- Minimum 5 years' industrial experience in RF/microwave hardware development.
- Proven experience designing, developing and testing active RF circuits and systems.
- Strong understanding of RF system analysis, including:
- RF line-up analysis and link budget calculations.
- Linearity, intermodulation, EVM and transmitter performance.
- Noise figure, SNR, BER and receiver sensitivity.
- Phase noise and frequency synthesis.
- Hands-on experience with RF measurements, testing and debugging.
- Experience taking engineering solutions from initial requirements through design and implementation.
- Ability to work independently on complex technical challenges with limited supervision.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
Desirable Experience:
- Aerospace, defence or space communication systems, particularly mission-critical RF applications.
- Telemetry, telecommand and satellite communication systems.
- Software Defined Radio (SDR) and digital communication architectures.
- RF system lifecycle management and qualification processes, including EMI/EMC and environmental testing.
- FPGA-based radio architectures and high-speed digital interfaces.
- Formal engineering design reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR and TRR.
- Taking technical ownership of designs from initial development through integration and final delivery.
- Working within multidisciplinary engineering teams and structured product development environments.
Nationality & Eligibility:
- Candidates must hold a UK or NATO country passport, AND hold unrestricted right to work in the UK.
- Vetting will include a right to work check, drug screen, full 5 years' referencing and a DBS check.
Senior Advanced Wireless / RF Engineer - QKDSat employer: Line Up Aviation
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