RF Payload Engineer
About the role
Responsible For
Design, implementation and verification of RF payload solutions into SSTL missions
Key Tasks
- Work with multidisciplinary teams to develop RF payload solutions for SSTL missions
- System level design and performance analysis of RF payloads (communications, radar, SIGINT)
- Specification of payload hardware including transmitters, receivers and antennas
- Specification of in-orbit or ground based signal processing solutions
- Specification and development of tools for payload design, test and calibration
- Work with other SSTL engineering teams and/or external subcontractors to develop and implement payload hardware and signal processing solutions
- Define and support payload verification by on ground environmental test and in-orbit commissioning
- Manage payload delivery, integration and test as part of SSTL projects
- Work package manager responsibilities including planning/reporting budget/schedule/resources
- Input to bids involving RF payloads
- Support project reviews including presentation of technical solutions and programmatic progress to internal and external stakeholders
Previous Experience
- Ideally 5+ years relevant experience
- System engineering for complex, multidisciplinary products or project solutions
- Requirements analysis and flow down
- Experience with some of the following: link budget analysis, RF and/or digital design, signal processing, antenna design/simulation, test definition/support for development and product verification
- Experience of manufacture and test for space advantageous
Qualifications Knowledge & Skills • Good 1st degree in engineering, maths or physics
- Comfortable working with experts while maintaining ownership of the solution
- Confident delving into detail as required without being distracted from project objectives
- Good inter-personal skills - both written and oral communications; ability to interface with customers and technical representatives
- Familiarity with Matlab or Python for mathematical modelling
- Good knowledge of MS Word/Excel/Powerpoint, plus MS Project or similar planning tool
- Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities
- Ability to work well in teams but also individually
- Results orientated, can-do approach
- Pro-active and able to take initiative
- Decision making and problem-solving skills
- Highly organised with clear communication skills
- Able to demonstrate company mindsets; accountability, one team, customers and projects rule, and audacity
Copied from the listing Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) published, verified 31 Oct 2026.
The application
Your details and CV, then 10 questions (1 written).
- 1.Please state your current salaryShort answer
- 2.Please state your salary expectation?Short answer
- 3.Please state your notice periodShort answer
- 4.Please state your nationalityShort answer
- 5.Please state your country of birthShort answer
- 6.Do you hold any other nationalities/citizenships other than stated in first questionYes or no
- 7.If yes, please stateWritten answer
- 8.Please state the number of years you have been resident in the UKShort answer · optional
- 9.Do you have the right to work in the UK?Yes or no
- 10.Have you worked for SSTL before?Yes or no
Taken from the application form Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) runs, verified 30 Oct 2026.
How to apply to Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL): the questions its forms ask across its open roles.
About Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL)
Small satellites, payloads and ground systems from Guildford, owned by Airbus.
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