Lead RF Engineer - Radio Systems

Job Description:

Do you have experience in Radio Frequency? Are you looking for a senior role where you can make a difference in the development of RF equipment and projects? Do you want to work in a growing environment, somewhere where you can develop your career? ...If the answer is yes, than Leonardo is the global high-tech company for you.

We have requirement for a Lead RF Engineer based in Basildon on a hybrid basis.

About the Role

This Systems Engineering vacancy presents an exciting opportunity for an individual to work on a range of inter-related RF projects. The work is within the Land domain, with the successful candidate using their Radio and RF systems knowledge to become part of a small, talented R&D team. As a valued member of the team you will be involved in research and development of low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) concepts through use of model based engineering and proof of concept prototype systems, and to demonstrate viability for further development of these ideas into products and system solutions.

As the team Lead System Engineer, your role will be to co-ordinate this team effort to respond with bids and proposals that aim to satisfy a Customer need, and to lead these projects through to a conclusion with a set of recommendations for further work. The team is involved in low TRL research that may not always lead to a product but always produces Intellectual Property.  An aptitude to working from sketchy requirement to drive detailed requirement with customer would be advantageous. 

This role has potential to develop towards a Design Authority role. It will require working closely with a small mixed discipline team (Hardware, Embedded SW, Application SW, Firmware etc.) so will benefit from at least a working understanding of a broad range of engineering disciplines.

Key Responsibility Areas;

• Paper research into a variety of Radio systems technologies to understand on-air behaviours  and to identify areas of interest
• Close Customer working to iterate System requirements through this experimentation and analysis.
• Continually relating the emerging solution to the customer requirements and Concept of Use (CONUSE).
• Closely work with the team in Integration of Software Defined Radio (SDR) based demonstration systems for lab and field based experimentation.
• Careful recording of decisions and observations with appropriate stakeholder reporting.  
• Through on-the-job training on Company policies and framework processes, you will support the System Design Authority to fulfil the role of a Design Authority for product/system, in adherence to the Company Engineering governance.

Although a hybrid working role you will be involved in lab work and trials support, so an element of on-site working (3/4 days on sites) will always exist to a varying extent.

About You

You will have proven experience as a RF Engineer, either through industry or advanced academic research. Ideally, you will have also have a relevant education, although a deep theoretical knowledge is not necessarily required.

Attributes required include;

• Expertise in one or more of the following; Receivers, Transmitters, PA, EMC. Either at a practical level or in terms of underlying protocols and principles
• Ability to operate at all levels, from board level design/specification for COTS-search to system validation and Qualification.
• Experience of engineering lifecycle, in design and development of RF products/systems.
• Functional analysis and Specification development for RF-products/systems with software/firmware content
• Able to communicate complex ideas to a mixed experience audience

Nice to Have/None Essential Skills:

• Experience with broadband Transceiver modules using SoCs, broadband amplifiers, their implementation and integration into SDR platforms.
• Previous experience working with telecommunication (2G/3G/4G) Air-Interface specification.
• Previous experience with electronics assembly and testing, inclusive of RF systems under software control
• Knowledge of military and international specifications and standards for EMC, Environmental and safety, applicable to body-worn and vehicle installation

All successful applicants must be eligible for full security clearance and access to UK-caveated and ITAR controlled information. For more information and guidance, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels

What we Offer

A competitive salary based on your experience and skills and an award winning benefits package that includes;

• Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us.
• Company funded flexible benefits: Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance)
• Holidays: Up to 45 days holiday! …25 days, plus bank holidays and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year. There is also an option to buy/sell leave.
• Pension: Award winning pension scheme (up to 23% total contribution)
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme with access to free mental health support, financial wellbeing support and network groups to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Reservists, Carers)
• Lifestyle: Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme
• Training: Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera
• Bonus Scheme: (role dependent)

For a full list of our Company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 8,000 are based at 8 sites throughout the UK.

Primary Location:

Contract Type:

Hybrid Working: