Systems Test Engineer (RF) in Cambridge

Systems Test Engineer (RF) in Cambridge

Cambridge Full-Time 35000 - 45000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
MASS Consultants

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team to support hands-on testing and trials in a cutting-edge lab environment.
  • Company: Be part of an expanding Electronic Warfare Operations Support Group with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, private medical insurance, and career development support.
  • Other info: Work in a supportive team with excellent growth opportunities and wellbeing initiatives.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by solving complex problems in a dynamic, hands-on role.
  • Qualifications: 2 years of experience in testing or trials, with practical engineering skills.

The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.

St Neots (PE19) | Permanent | On-site

25 days annual leave inclusive of up to 3 days Christmas shut-down

Buy or sell up to 5 days annual leave

Annual Wellbeing allowance

Two pension schemes to choose from

Private Medical Insurance + discounts for additional family members

Life Assurance scheme up to 4 x salary

Share Save scheme

Electric/Hybrid Car leasing scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Retail discounts

Career development support

Come and join our expanding Electronic Warfare Operations Support Group (EWOS) which is made up of 60+ electronic warfare specialists. From all manner of backgrounds, our engineers, scientists, and ex-military personnel combine their experience to help our customers achieve true operational potential and help keep their people and platforms safe.

We are expanding our team to plan and deliver complex test and trials activity within our state-of-the-art test and evaluation facility at our head office in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, in response to increasing programme demand and a higher cadence of delivery.

In this role you will be a hands-on member of the trials team, supporting the preparation, execution and reporting of laboratory-based test and trials activity, implementing the technical tasks required to deliver controlled, traceable and high-quality outcomes.

If you enjoy wargaming-style problem solving, you'll get to help bring realistic, controlled EW scenarios to life in the lab configuring threat representations, running repeatable trial runs, and seeing how systems perform under pressure. It's hands-on, collaborative work that blends RF test craft with mission-context thinking, always within safe systems of work and agreed governance.

This is a technical, practical role requiring test-bench instrumentation skills, networking fundamentals for lab set-ups, and RF theory basics. You'll use these to support safe and effective trial execution, with guidance from senior engineers and SMEs when needed.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Supporting the practical preparation of trials: helping to set up equipment and test environments, checking asset readiness, preparing data and documentation, and ensuring that the right tools, access and safety controls are in place before activity starts.
  • During trials, you will implement technical tasks, following agreed procedures and checklists, operating test equipment safely, and recording configuration details (e.g., versions/configuration items) so results remain traceable and repeatable.
  • You will support laboratory-based trials from preparation and execution through to post-activity reporting. This includes capturing results and evidence, raising issues promptly, supporting fault-finding and re-test activity, and contributing to clear, timely reporting to enable customer decisions.
  • You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, with support to develop your capability through day-to-day coaching, structured feedback, and opportunities to broaden your experience across projects and trial activities.
  • Working within our on-site MASS teams (in-house specialist engineering and support teams), you will contribute to major projects by delivering high-quality trial execution and evidence.
  • Working under the guidance of the Senior Systems Test & Trials Lead and alongside the Principal Test & Trials Engineer, you'll help ensure trials are aligned with agreed engineering standards and priorities.
  • You will engage with customers and internal stakeholders to understand objectives and acceptance criteria, communicate progress, and maintain disciplined documentation.

Essential:

  • At least 2 years hands-on experience supporting or delivering test, trials, integration, commissioning or verification activity in a laboratory, workshop, or representative system environment.
  • Able to follow and contribute to clear procedures and checklists, and work methodically with guidance to deliver safe, repeatable outcomes.
  • Practical working knowledge of common test and measurement equipment and bench practices (e.g. oscilloscope use, spectrum analysis basics, signal generation basics, power measurement): making safe connections, setting ranges/levels, and recording/spot-checking results.
  • Networking fundamentals sufficient to support lab set-ups and basic troubleshooting (e.g. reading connection diagrams, cabling and physical interfaces, IP addressing/subnet basics, and knowing when to involve network SMEs for complex issues).
  • RF fundamentals to support RF-adjacent testing (e.g. frequency/bandwidth, power levels, dB/dBm, attenuation/loss, interference awareness) and the ability to follow safe RF handling procedures.
  • Strong practical engineering mindset: comfortable with hands-on set-up, basic fault-finding, and re-test activity, escalating to SMEs when required.
  • Good organisation and evidence capture skills: recording results, configurations and observations clearly, and maintaining accurate trial notes and evidence packs.
  • Able to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team (hardware/software/networks), communicate progress and issues clearly, and take direction when priorities change.
  • Safety-conscious approach: able to work within safe systems of work, identify hazards, and stop/escalate when controls are unclear.
  • Some exposure to Electronic Warfare (EW) (through industry, military, or adjacent programmes) or a demonstrated ability to learn new mission and threat domains quickly.

Desirable:

  • Experience using planning and documentation tools (e.g. Jira/Confluence, Excel trackers) to manage actions, evidence and outputs.
  • Working knowledge of test governance concepts (e.g. acceptance criteria, test cases, V&V, readiness reviews) and how to apply them in practice.
  • Experience writing or improving repeatable procedures, checklists and safe systems of work.
  • Experience with configuration and document control (e.g. controlled document repositories, version control) and maintaining traceable records.
  • Broader networking experience (e.g. VLAN configuration, routing changes, or deeper troubleshooting) and confidence coordinating with network SMEs to resolve set-up issues quickly.
  • Experience working in a delivery environment with changing priorities, and supporting multiple stakeholders.
  • Broader EW domain experience (e.g. threat/mission context, sensor/effector integration, or EW test & evaluation) and an understanding of how effects can be represented and assessed.
  • Experience coordinating with internal support functions (e.g. facilities, security, IT) to enable test and trials activity.
  • STEM degree (or equivalent experience) with strong practical engineering mindset.

Wellbeing is at the core to our culture, allowing employees to flourish and to achieve their full potential. Our people are important to us, and we take pride in our wellbeing programmes and policies that support individuals including, mental health first aiders and readily available support through our extensive employee assistance programme.

Our Non-negotiables:

  • Due to the highly secure nature of the projects that you will be involved with, you must be:
  • A UK National and eligible to work in the UK
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain a UK Government SC-level security clearance

Apply today to see how working for MASS could work for you!

Systems Test Engineer (RF) in Cambridge employer: MASS Consultants

At MASS, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. Located in St Neots, our state-of-the-art facility fosters collaboration among a diverse team of experts, providing ample opportunities for career development and hands-on experience in cutting-edge electronic warfare projects. With generous benefits including flexible annual leave options, private medical insurance, and a commitment to mental health support, we ensure our employees thrive both personally and professionally.
MASS Consultants

Contact Detail:

MASS Consultants Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Systems Test Engineer (RF) in Cambridge

✨Tip Number 1

Get your hands dirty! If you want to land that Systems Test Engineer role, show us you’re not afraid of practical work. Brush up on your RF theory and test equipment skills, and be ready to talk about your hands-on experiences during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with current employees or industry professionals on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for getting into the Electronic Warfare Operations Support Group. A personal connection can make all the difference!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for scenario-based questions! We love problem solvers, so think about how you’d tackle real-world challenges in a lab setting. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you’ve successfully executed trials or resolved issues.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at MASS!

We think you need these skills to ace Systems Test Engineer (RF) in Cambridge

Test and Measurement Equipment Proficiency
RF Theory Basics
Networking Fundamentals
Hands-on Test Execution
Data Capture and Documentation Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Safety-Conscious Approach
Multi-Disciplinary Team Collaboration
Electronic Warfare Knowledge
Configuration and Document Control
Experience with Planning Tools (e.g. Jira, Confluence)
Ability to Follow Procedures and Checklists
Basic Fault-Finding Skills
Adaptability to Changing Priorities

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Systems Test Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with test and measurement equipment, RF fundamentals, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background fits into our team. Don't forget to mention your experience in multi-disciplinary teams and your safety-conscious approach.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex problems in previous roles. We love candidates who can think on their feet and bring wargaming-style problem-solving to life, so share those experiences with us!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you'll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!

How to prepare for a job interview at MASS Consultants

✨Know Your RF Basics

Brush up on your RF fundamentals before the interview. Be ready to discuss concepts like frequency, power levels, and attenuation. This will show that you have a solid understanding of the technical aspects required for the Systems Test Engineer role.

✨Demonstrate Hands-On Experience

Prepare to share specific examples from your past roles where you supported test and trials activities. Highlight your experience with test equipment, lab setups, and any troubleshooting you've done. Real-world examples will help you stand out.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Procedures

Since the role involves following clear procedures and checklists, be ready to discuss how you've adhered to similar processes in previous positions. Mention any experience you have with documentation tools like Jira or Confluence, as this could be a plus.

✨Show Your Team Spirit

This position requires working in a multi-disciplinary team, so be prepared to talk about your collaboration skills. Share instances where you communicated effectively with colleagues or stakeholders, especially when priorities changed or issues arose.

Systems Test Engineer (RF) in Cambridge
MASS Consultants
Location: Cambridge

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