Lead RF Systems Engineer / Technical Lead in London

BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is home to 4,500 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We work collaboratively across 10 countries to collect, connect and understand complex data, so that governments, nation states, armed forces and commercial businesses can unlock digital advantage in the most demanding environments.

We are seeking a highly experienced and driven Lead RF Systems Engineer / Technical Lead to join our growing capability team focused on development of RF systems. This role is ideal for a systems-level thinker with deep expertise in RF technologies who thrives at the interface of multi-disciplinary teams and excels in shaping innovative system solutions from concept through to demonstrator.

• Technical Leadership: Provide technical leadership across Sense & Effect development projects, from early-stage R&D (TRL 2-4) through to advanced technology demonstrators (TRL5/6 and beyond).
• Systems Engineering: Lead the development of RF system architectures, including trade-off studies balancing performance, cost, time, and risk.
• Multi-Disciplinary Integration: Bring together specialists in antennas, RF components, signal processing, electronics, firmware, and software to deliver cohesive system solutions.
• Customer Engagement: Represent the technical solution to customers and stakeholders, providing briefings, technical justifications, and system roadmaps.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with the Engineering Manager and Project Manager to align delivery with project milestones and quality standards.
• Innovation: Contribute to the development of new RF system concepts, supporting early-stage innovation, proof-of-principle activities, and feasibility studies.
• Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and inspire engineers across the team, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.

• Strong background in RF systems engineering, particularly in Radar and/or Electronic Warfare domains (or related).
• Understanding of RF subsystems, including antennas, front-end electronics, signal processing chains, and system integration.
• Proven track record of system design, trade-off analysis, and performance modelling.
• Experience developing early-stage concepts into technology demonstrators or operational prototypes.
• Excellent communication skills with experience in customer-facing roles and technical presentations.
• Strong collaboration skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams or acting as a technical authority.

• Knowledge of EM, RF, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and RF simulation/modelling tools.
• Experience with either Radar or electronic warfare techniques and military threat environments.
• Understanding of system-level testing and validation of RF systems.
• Familiarity with defence standards and system engineering frameworks (e.g., DOORS, SysML, NAF).

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment team to discuss any further support you may need.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation.

Life at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence embraces Hybrid Working, allowing for increased flexibility in when and where we work, helping us to balance our work and personal life more effectively, and enhance well-being.