At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to execute hands-on trials and tests in a cutting-edge lab environment.
- Company: Be part of an expanding Electronic Warfare Operations Support Group with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual leave, wellbeing allowance, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a focus on employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by solving complex problems in a dynamic, supportive team.
- Qualifications: Hands-on experience in testing and a practical engineering mindset are essential.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Systems Test Engineer (RF) – St Neots (PE19) | Permanent | On-site
Salary: 38,000 - 48,000
- 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. 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, implementing technical tasks, following agreed procedures and checklists, operating test equipment safely, and recording configuration details so results remain traceable and repeatable.
- Supporting laboratory-based trials from preparation and execution through to post-activity reporting, including capturing results and evidence, raising issues promptly, supporting fault-finding and re-test activity, and contributing to clear, timely reporting to enable customer decisions.
- Working 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.
- Contributing 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.
- Engaging 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.
- Networking fundamentals sufficient to support lab set-ups and basic troubleshooting.
- RF fundamentals to support RF-adjacent testing 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.
- Good organisation and evidence capture skills.
- Able to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team, 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) or a demonstrated ability to learn new mission and threat domains quickly.
Desirable:
- Experience using planning and documentation tools to manage actions, evidence and outputs.
- Working knowledge of test governance concepts 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 and maintaining traceable records.
- Broader networking experience 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 and an understanding of how effects can be represented and assessed.
- Experience coordinating with internal support functions to enable test and trials activity.
- STEM degree (or equivalent experience) with strong practical engineering mindset.
Wellbeing is at the core of 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.
Non-negotiables:
- Due to the highly secure nature of the projects, 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 Saint Neots employer: MASS
Mass is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the defence sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will benefit from professional development support and a generous benefits package, including 25 days of annual leave, all while working in the picturesque location of Corsham, England.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Systems Test Engineer (RF) in Saint Neots
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Systems Test Engineer (RF) role you’re after at MASS.
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✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at MASS.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Systems Test Engineer (RF) at MASS, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Systems Test Engineer (RF) in Saint Neots
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Systems Test Engineer (RF), it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at MASS a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to MASS specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at MASS
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with MASS, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like MASS want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.