At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical support for mission-critical communications systems and resolve complex engineering issues.
- Company: Join a specialist engineering team at Heathrow Airport, a hub of innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 10% bonus, professional development, and standard UK benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a critical infrastructure setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with cutting-edge communication technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience in RF, telecommunications, and strong fault-diagnosis skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Senior Communications Engineer (270jc) – Heathrow, West London – £50 – £53k + 10% variable bonus + Benefits
Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Communications Engineer to join a specialist engineering team supporting a large and technically complex mission‑critical communications environment at Heathrow Airport.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced communications engineer who enjoys fault‑finding, problem‑solving and taking technical ownership within a demanding operational environment.
We would be particularly interested in hearing from veterans with a strong background in communications, RF, telecommunications or electronic systems and have subsequently gained relevant commercial experience.
You will work across a diverse communications estate incorporating both established and emerging technologies, including:
- Mission‑critical TETRA radio systems
- DMR and PMR radio
- RF-over-Fibre Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS)
- 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G cellular infrastructure
- Mission‑critical dispatch systems
- Fibre and IP communications
- Antenna and RF distribution systems
- Subscriber radio equipment and vehicle installations
The Role
Working as one of the senior technical specialists within the engineering operation, you will provide technical leadership across the support, maintenance and continued improvement of critical communications infrastructure.
Your responsibilities will include
- Providing senior technical support across mission‑critical radio and cellular systems.
- Leading the investigation and resolution of complex engineering faults and incidents.
- Acting as a technical escalation point for other engineers.
- Coordinating technical recovery during major operational incidents.
- Mentoring and supporting less experienced engineers.
- Undertaking advanced fault diagnosis across RF, fibre, IP and communications infrastructure.
- Conducting RF investigations including spectrum analysis, antenna testing, VSWR and Distance-to-Fault measurements.
- Supporting infrastructure upgrades, equipment commissioning and lifecycle replacement programmes.
- Planning and overseeing preventative maintenance.
- Conducting Root Cause Analysis and supporting Problem Management activities.
- Supporting the introduction and operational acceptance of new communications technologies.
- Maintaining engineering documentation, configuration records and technical procedures.
- Managing technical relationships with equipment manufacturers and specialist suppliers.
- Working closely with airport stakeholders, operational teams and external engineering partners.
You will also have the opportunity to become involved with emerging technologies including private LTE/5G, Neutral Host infrastructure, Push-to-Talk over Cellular and advanced monitoring and automation platforms.
What We Are Looking For
Applicants should have significant experience working with mission‑critical radio communications and/or cellular infrastructure.
Ideally, you will have
- Strong knowledge of
PMR, DMR and TETRA technologies.
- Experience with RF-over-Fibre and Distributed Antenna Systems.
- A solid understanding of RF engineering principles.
- Knowledge of antenna systems, feeders, fibre distribution and coverage optimisation.
- Experience fault‑finding IP networks within communications environments.
- Strong analytical and technical fault‑diagnosis skills.
- Experience managing complex technical incidents.
- Knowledge of Root Cause Analysis and Problem Management.
- An understanding of ITIL Service Management principles.
- Experience dealing with equipment manufacturers and technical suppliers.
- The ability to mentor and provide technical guidance to other engineers.
- Strong communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
Experience with Motorola, Teltronic, Hytera, Frequentis or similar mission‑critical communications platforms would be advantageous.
Experience of LTE/5G infrastructure, Network Management Systems, spectrum analysers, antenna analysers and fibre test equipment would also be useful.
This role could be particularly well suited to individuals who have previously worked within military communications and have experience supporting operationally critical equipment where reliability, resilience and rapid fault diagnosis are essential.
You do not need to have worked within an airport previously.
More important is your ability to understand and support complex communications infrastructure in an operational environment.
Due to the environment in which you will be working, applicants must be able to obtain and maintain Heathrow Airport security clearance.
The Package will include basic salary of between £50 – 53k with a 10% variable bonus and includes standard UK benefits package as well as professional development and technical training opportunities
This is a particularly interesting opportunity for an experienced communications engineer looking to take their technical knowledge into one of the UK’s most complex and operationally important infrastructure environments.
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Senior Communications Engineer employer: White Trading Limited
Ringway Jacobs is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees, offering flexible working arrangements to help maintain a healthy work-life balance. With a strong commitment to professional development, you will have the opportunity to enhance your skills while contributing to meaningful road safety initiatives across Essex. The collaborative culture and supportive environment make it an ideal place for those looking to make a positive impact in their community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Communications Engineer
✨Get Chummy with Industry Events
Dive into telecommunications networking conferences and expos. These are golden opportunities to meet potential employers like White Trading Limited and learn about open positions directly from their teams. Keep an eye out for workshops or panels – they’re perfect for showcasing your passion and expertise!
✨Join Networking Communities
Find online forums or local meetups that focus on telecommunications and networking. Sites like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit communities can be great for connecting with professionals in the field. Just remember to participate in discussions – you never know when someone might mention job openings at places like White Trading Limited.
✨Showcase Your Skills with Personal Projects
If you’ve got any personal projects or contributions to open-source networking tools, flaunt them! Create a portfolio that showcases your skills relevant to what telecommunication companies are looking for. It’s a great conversation starter during interviews and networking chats.
✨Utilise Online Job Boards Wisely
While we’re all about encouraging you to apply through our website, also keep an eye on job boards specific to tech and telecommunication roles. Websites such as Telecommunication Jobs and TechCareers often list full-time roles that may not appear elsewhere. Just be sure to tailor every application to grab attention – even small tweaks can make a big difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Communications Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Know-How:When you're applying for a role in telecommunications and networking, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Mention specific technologies you're proficient in, like IP networking, VoIP, or security protocols. Be sure your CV includes any relevant certifications such as CCNA or CompTIA Network+; they really show you've got the chops for the job.
Tailor Your Experience to Match Networking Projects:In your CV and cover letter, don’t just list your past jobs—showcase specific projects that align with the role! If you've worked on network design, implementation, or troubleshooting, weave those experiences in and highlight metrics to demonstrate your impact. This paints a vivid picture of how you'd fit into the role at White Trading Limited.
Show Enthusiasm for the Industry:With telecommunications evolving rapidly, it’s important to express your passion for the field in your application. Mention any trends or innovations you've been following that excite you and how they'd influence your work. This can really set you apart and show that you're not just after a job, but a career!
Keep It Clean and Professional:While it’s important to be personable, ensure your application maintains a clean and structured format. Use clear headings and bullet points to make it easy for hiring managers to dig into your skills and experience. Remember, you’re applying for a full-time role, so a well-organised application will signal your seriousness about the position at White Trading Limited.
How to prepare for a job interview at White Trading Limited
✨Brush Up on Networking Protocols
Make sure you’re up to speed with the key networking protocols like TCP/IP, UDP, and perhaps even MPLS if it's relevant. We can expect technical questions about how these protocols function and the problems they solve, so a solid understanding will help you shine.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Got a portfolio? Bring it along! Highlight any relevant projects where you've designed or managed network systems. This is your chance to demonstrate practical experience; employers love to see how your skills can be applied in real-world scenarios.
✨Get Comfortable with Technical Scenarios
You might be faced with a case study or a technical troubleshooting scenario during the interview. Practise responding to common networking issues—like packet loss or latency problems. Thinking through these scenarios will help us sound confident and competent in our responses.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration Skills
In the telecommunications field, teamwork is key! Make sure to share examples of how you’ve worked collaboratively, whether in past jobs or projects at uni. Employers want to see that you’re not just technically savvy, but also great at working within a team setting.