At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse RF data, develop signal-processing pipelines, and contribute to UAV detection technologies.
- Company: Join a high-growth British defence AI start-up near Cambridge.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on R&D experience, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Full-time on-site role with excellent growth potential in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence tech while working with cutting-edge RF and machine learning.
- Qualifications: Strong Python skills, digital signal processing knowledge, and experience with SDRs required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Quell is a high-growth British defence and security AI technology start-up developing solutions to counter drone, vehicle, and human threats across the military, civilian and critical national infrastructure sectors. Based near Cambridge, we are seeking exceptional Senior Radio Frequency (RF) Data Scientist / Research Engineers to work at the intersection of RF hardware, digital signal processing, and machine learning. You will analyse complex RF data from software-defined radios (SDRs), develop advanced signal-processing pipelines, and contribute to cutting-edge UAV/drone detection technologies. This is a hands-on R&D role suited to someone who thrives in fast-paced prototyping environments. It is a full-time role within the Research & Prototyping team.
Key Responsibilities
- Analysing raw IQ data from SDR platforms (e.g., bladeRF, USRP) to identify, classify, and extract RF signal features
- Building diagnostic tools for RF signal characterisation (e.g., time-frequency plots, cyclic spectra, EVM, autocorrelation, constellation tracking)
- Designing RF data-processing pipelines that account for real-world hardware constraints (bandwidth, gain stages, ADC limits, timing jitter)
- Modelling RF front-end behaviour (filters, mixers, LOs, AGC, noise figure) to improve signal integrity and inference accuracy
- Developing machine learning and statistical models for RF classification, anomaly detection, and emitter identification
- Prototyping real-time and batch-processing systems in Python (NumPy, SciPy, PyTorch) and integrating with ZMQ, GNU Radio, or C++ backends
- Leading RF data collection, field experiments, and over-the-air testing with drones, wireless devices, and custom transmitters
Requirements
- Strong Python proficiency for data analysis and prototyping (NumPy, SciPy, matplotlib, scikit-learn, PyTorch)
- Solid understanding of digital signal processing (FFT, filtering, modulation, correlation, noise modelling, resampling)
- Familiarity with SDR frameworks such as GNU Radio, SDRangel, osmoSDR, or SoapySDR
- Practical understanding of RF hardware chains (antenna -> filters -> mixers -> ADC) and their impact on baseband data
- Experience analysing wireless protocols (Wi-Fi, LTE, LoRa, etc.) and physical-layer structures
- Comfortable debugging SDR setups and carrying out field-based RF data collection
- Strong communication skills and ability to work in an iterative R&D environment
- Hands-on experience with SDRs (bladeRF, HackRF, USRP, PlutoSDR) and RF lab equipment (spectrum analysers, VNAs, signal generators)
- Experience with passive radar, beamforming, TDoA, Doppler, or direction finding
- Familiarity with embedded or real-time systems (e.g., FPGA pipelines, GPU acceleration)
- Programming experience in MATLAB, C++, Rust, or similar
- Knowledge of RF circuit fundamentals (impedance matching, filter design, gain budgeting)
- Experience designing or testing antenna arrays for sensing/detection
- Publications, patents, or open-source RF/ML contributions
Details
- Location: North Uttlesford / Greater Cambridge area, on-site
- Five days a week on-site (ie: this is not a hybrid role)
- Full UK driving licence required. If this isn't held, candidates will need to commit to obtaining within 6 months of their start date
- Applicants must be fully eligible to work in the UK without restriction, time limit, or the need for current or future sponsorship
Senior RF Data Scientist / Research Engineer in Cambridge employer: Quell
Quell is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the cutting edge of defence and security AI technology. Located near Cambridge, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that values legal expertise as a strategic partner, fostering professional growth and providing opportunities to influence key business decisions. With a focus on innovation and compliance in a rapidly evolving industry, Quell empowers its team members to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive atmosphere that encourages agility and emotional intelligence.
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior RF Data Scientist / Research Engineer in Cambridge
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