Communications Systems Engineer

Target Integration Ltd.; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Target Integration Ltd. in Gloucester is seeking a Communications Systems Engineer to help design and develop SDR systems for Defence, Cyber and Intelligence programmes.

The role focuses on architectures, interfaces, protocols, and network topography, with emphasis on integration into wider mission systems. You will collaborate with software, RF and payload teams, ensure standards compliance, and drive testing and validation to deliver robust, scalable communication solutions in challenging

Qualifications

• Experience with SDR architectures for communications applications.
• Knowledge of interfaces, protocols, encoding schemes and standards (TCP/IP, IEEE 802, etc.).
• Experience designing network topologies and link budgets.
• Familiarity with SDR system integration.
• Proficiency with network modelling and system design tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills focused on performance.
• Experience with real-time communications systems and network management tools.
• Background in Defence or Cyber communications.
• Familiarity with interoperability testing and performance analysis.

Responsibilities

• SDR System Architecture – design and optimize SDR architectures for advanced applications.
• Interfaces & Protocols – develop and implement interfaces and protocols for high-performance SDR systems.
• Network Topography – model network topologies for seamless integration.
• System Integration – collaborate with hardware/software teams to integrate SDR into mission systems.
• Standards Compliance – ensure interoperability and compliance with relevant standards.
• Testing & Validation – test and validate interfaces, protocols and networks.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration – work with software, RF and payload teams to integrate systems.

Skills

SDR architectures

Interfaces & protocols

Network topography

System integration

Standards compliance

Testing & validation

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

OpenCPI

GnuRadio

Python

C/C++

Linux

GitLab

Tools

OpenCPI

GnuRadio

Python

C/C++

Linux

GitLab

Job description

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Communications Systems Engineer to join the team at the Gloucester site. This is an exciting opportunity to work on the design and development of Software-Defined Radio (SDR) systems, focusing on system architectures, interfaces, protocols, and network topography. You will play a pivotal role in delivering innovative solutions for Defence, Cyber, and Intelligence programmes.

This company offers a collaborative environment where you can thrive professionally while maintaining a healthy work-life balance, providing flexible working hours, hybrid work options when possible, and a comprehensive benefits package to support both your career and personal life.

As a Communications Systems Engineer, you’ll be responsible for designing, integrating, and optimizing SDR systems, ensuring they meet the requirements of complex mission environments. You’ll be involved in working with advanced communication architectures, industry protocols, and network topologies, making this role ideal for someone passionate about next-generation communication systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• SDR System Architecture – Consult upon the design and optimization of Software-Defined Radio (SDR) system architectures for advanced communications applications, ensuring scalability, performance, and reliability.
• Interfaces & Protocols – Develop and implement interfaces and communication protocols to support robust, high-performance SDR systems.
• Network Topography – Design and model network topologies, ensuring seamless integration and efficient communication across diverse systems and platforms.
• System Integration – Collaborate with hardware and software teams to integrate SDR solutions into larger mission systems and ensure full system functionality.
• Standards Compliance – Ensure adherence to relevant industry standards and protocols to maintain interoperability and compliance with operational requirements.
• Testing & Validation – Conduct testing and validation of communication systems, verifying the correct operation of interfaces, protocols, and network structures.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration – Work closely with engineers from other disciplines, including software, RF, and payload development teams, to integrate communication systems effectively into broader platforms.

If you’re passionate about designing cutting-edge communication systems and want to contribute to innovative solutions for critical Defence, Cyber, and Intelligence applications, we’d love to hear from you.

Required skills, qualifications, & experiences:

• Strong experience with SDR system architectures for communications applications.
• In-depth knowledge of communication interfaces, protocols, encoding schemes, and standards (e.g., TCP/IP, IEEE 802 standards, cellular mobile network standards, forward error correction schemes etc.).
• Experience in designing network topographies and link budgets to support complex communication systems.
• Familiarity with the integration of SDR systems and associated components.
• Proficiency with network modelling and system design tools.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on system performance and efficiency.
• Experience with real-time communication systems and network management tools.
• Knowledge of OpenCPI, GnuRadio, Python, C/C++, and other SDR development tools.
• Experience working in Linux environments and using GitLab or similar version control tools.
• Background in working with Defence or Cyber communications systems.
• Familiarity with interoperability testing and network performance analysis.