Senior RF Systems Engineer - Ground Segment

The Role

This is an opportunity to work on advanced RF systems at the heart of mission-critical Ground Segment capabilities supporting defence and aerospace programmes. The role offers exposure to the full RF system lifecycle, developing high-performance solutions designed to operate in complex and demanding environments. You will join a highly skilled engineering team delivering cutting-edge RF architectures and contributing directly to the performance, resilience, and evolution of next-generation systems.

The position involves the design and development of RF circuitry for high-frequency and microwave applications, including receivers, transmitters, antennas, and frequency synthesizers. Responsibilities include RF hardware design and layout, component selection and evaluation, prototype development, and RF testing to verify performance against requirements. The role also supports manufacturing during build, integration, and test activities, and contributes to formal technical documentation.

In addition, the role focuses on the development of RF system and subsystem architectures, including antennas, transmitters, receivers, low-noise amplifiers, high-power amplifiers, RF conversion elements, and transmission line systems. It includes performing link analysis and optimisation, considering propagation effects and potential interference sources, as well as defining and allocating RF system requirements.

Further responsibilities include identifying and tracking RF technical performance measures (TPMs), conducting system and subsystem trade studies, and supporting CAIV analysis. The role also contributes to lifecycle considerations, including cost, reliability, availability, maintainability, and overall system effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative RF engineering solutions to complex technical challenges aligned with programme and organisational objectives.
• Work independently with limited direction, with outputs reviewed upon completion against departmental standards and objectives.
• Contribute to major engineering work packages and may take on technical leadership responsibilities within RF-focused programmes.
• Engage with senior engineers and stakeholders on significant technical matters, influencing system design and programme direction.
• Contribute to the development of new RF concepts and solutions, applying deep technical expertise and industry knowledge to advance capability across the organisation.

Required skills, qualifications and experience

• Experience in RF engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Strong experience in RF circuit design, microwave systems, and subsystem integration.
• Proven ability to develop and optimise RF system architectures, including antennas, transmitters, and receivers.
• Experience with RF testing, performance analysis, and validation against system requirements.
• Strong understanding of RF system trade studies, link analysis, and performance modelling.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.