At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead RF systems engineering across complex programmes and integrate multidisciplinary elements.
- Company: Dynamic engineering team in Essex with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting projects with excellent career progression in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in advanced engineering and mentor the next generation of engineers.
- Qualifications: Strong background in RF systems engineering and experience with multidisciplinary teams.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 95000 £ per year.
An advanced engineering team is looking to appoint a Lead RF Systems Engineer to take ownership of systems engineering across a number of complex, early-stage programmes. This is a high-impact role where you’ll sit at the centre of a multidisciplinary environment, bringing together electronics, mechanical, RF, and processing elements into coherent system architectures. You’ll be the focal point for requirements, system definition, and integration across projects that sit towards higher TRLs, moving towards demonstrator and real-world capability.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading system architecture definition across RF-based programmes, from concept through to demonstrating
- Translating complex technical requirements into structured system-level artefacts, including requirements flow-down, interface definition, and verification planning
- Acting as the central link across multidisciplinary teams, bringing together hardware, firmware, software, and mechanical engineering
- Driving trade-off studies across performance, cost, and risk
- Owning requirements management, ensuring clarity, traceability, and delivery across the full lifecycle
- Supporting verification and validation (V&V), including test strategy and system-level assurance
- Working closely with engineering and project leadership to align technical delivery with programme milestones
- Engaging directly with stakeholders, presenting technical approaches and system roadmaps
- Mentoring junior engineers and supporting peer reviews, contributing to a strong engineering culture
Your Background
- Strong background in systems engineering within RF, radar, EW, or complex electronic systems
- Proven ability to define system architectures and manage requirements across the full lifecycle
- Experience working across multidisciplinary engineering teams (electronics, mechanical, software)
- Solid understanding of RF subsystems and/or broader electronic system design
- Track record supporting programmes through integration, testing, and validation
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills – able to bring clarity and direction across teams
- Comfortable operating autonomously and taking ownership of system delivery
- Experience mentoring or guiding junior engineers
Desirable Experience
- Exposure to radar, electronic warfare, or sensing systems
- Familiarity with system modelling tools (e.g. MATLAB / Simulink)
- Experience working within structured systems engineering frameworks (e.g. DOORS, SysML)
- Background in developing systems from early-stage R&D through to demonstrator level
- Understanding of defence environments or complex regulated programmes
Systems Engineering Engineer in Essex employer: Sanderson Government & Defence
Join a forward-thinking engineering team in Essex, where innovation meets collaboration. As a Lead RF Systems Engineer, you'll thrive in a dynamic hybrid work environment that fosters professional growth and encourages mentorship. With competitive salaries and a commitment to employee development, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape cutting-edge technologies while working alongside multidisciplinary experts.
Contact Details:
Sanderson Government & Defence Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Systems Engineering Engineer in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising your technical explanations. Since you’ll be dealing with complex systems, make sure you can break down your experience in RF systems engineering into simple terms. This will help you communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your projects! Bring along examples of your work that highlight your skills in systems architecture and multidisciplinary collaboration. Whether it’s a presentation or a portfolio, having tangible evidence of your expertise can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, as it shows your genuine interest in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Systems Engineering Engineer in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Systems Engineering Engineer role. Highlight your experience with RF systems and multidisciplinary teams, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of your past work in systems engineering and how it relates to the job description. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention any relevant technical skills or tools you’ve used, like MATLAB or DOORS. This helps us see how you can hit the ground running in our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Government & Defence
✨Know Your Systems Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your systems engineering principles, especially in RF and complex electronic systems. Be ready to discuss how you've defined system architectures and managed requirements in past projects. This will show that you can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Multidisciplinary Skills
Since this role involves working with various teams, be prepared to share examples of how you've collaborated with hardware, firmware, software, and mechanical engineers. Highlight any successful projects where you acted as the central link between these disciplines.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions about system-level artefacts, verification planning, and trade-off studies. Brush up on your knowledge of RF subsystems and be ready to explain how you approach performance, cost, and risk assessments.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your strong stakeholder engagement skills by preparing to discuss how you've presented technical approaches and system roadmaps in the past. Think of specific instances where you brought clarity and direction to a project, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
