RF Engineering Lead
?? Milton Keynes, UK | ?? Full-Time

We are looking for an experienced and driven RF Engineering Lead to join a high-performing engineering team delivering advanced RF and microwave solutions for aerospace, defence, and space applications. This is a pivotal role combining deep technical expertise with leadership responsibility, offering the opportunity to shape cutting-edge systems while developing and guiding a talented team.

The Role

As RF Engineering Lead, you will take ownership of the design, development, and delivery of high-performance RF systems across the full product lifecycle. You will act as the technical authority for RF engineering, ensuring innovative, reliable, and manufacturable solutions are delivered to demanding industry standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of advanced RF circuits, subsystems, and system architectures
• Define RF system architectures, including cascade analysis and link budgets for radar, telemetry, and communication systems
• Oversee simulation and validation using industry-standard tools such as ADS, AWR, HFSS, CST, and MATLAB
• Ensure RF designs meet requirements for performance, reliability, manufacturability, and environmental constraints
• Act as technical authority for RF engineering across multiple projects
• Support and lead design reviews including PDR, CDR, and TRR
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including systems, mechanical, manufacturing, and quality engineering
• Support new product introduction (NPI) and transition from design to production
• Lead and line-manage a team of RF engineers and technicians, including mentoring and performance management
• Contribute to bids and proposals through technical input, estimation, and risk assessment
• Engage with customers and external partners to understand requirements and maintain strong technical relationships
• Drive continuous improvement in RF design methodologies, tools, and engineering practices

About You

You are a technically strong RF engineer with proven leadership experience, capable of delivering complex engineering programmes in high-reliability environments. You are equally comfortable working hands-on with RF design and simulation as you are leading teams and influencing stakeholders.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Degree (BEng/MEng or equivalent) in Electronic Engineering or a related discipline
• Extensive experience in RF and microwave engineering, including circuit design, simulation, and system integration
• Proven track record delivering RF engineering projects in aerospace, defence, or similar industries
• Strong hands-on experience with RF simulation tools and laboratory equipment (e.g. VNAs, spectrum analysers)
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams and managing engineering activities
• Good understanding of product development lifecycles and regulated industry standards

Skills & Competencies

Technical

• RF system design and architecture
• Electromagnetic simulation and circuit optimisation
• RF testing and measurement
• Design for manufacturability

Strategic

• Ability to align engineering solutions with business and customer objectives
• Strong risk management and decision-making capability
• Contribution to long-term product and technology roadmaps

Interpersonal & Leadership

• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Effective cross-functional collaboration
• Ability to lead, mentor, and develop engineering teams
• Ownership of technical delivery and outcomes
• Commitment to innovation and continuous improvement

Additional Information

• Must be eligible for full security clearance

This is an excellent opportunity to take a leading role in delivering mission-critical RF systems, working at the forefront of technology in a collaborative and forward-thinking engineering environment.

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