Lead RF Engineer

Leonardo UK Ltd; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time to Recharge

Pension scheme

Mental health support

Bonus scheme

Online courses

Referral bonus

Flexible benefits

Hybrid working

Job summary

Leonardo invites an experienced RF Engineer to lead the RF discipline for the Airborne AESA Radar (AAR) sector, guiding advanced radar technology and driving design excellence across multiple programmes.

You will manage the RF design team, mentor junior engineers, define architectures, and coordinate with IPTs. The role blends lab work with system integration across concepts, development, and customer delivery in a hybrid Edinburgh setting.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (preferred) or related science.
• 5+ years of RF circuit design experience.
• Strong understanding of microwave techniques and electromagnetic theory.
• Proficiency with RF test equipment (VNA, signal generators, spectrum analysers).
• Passion for new technology and customer delivery.

Responsibilities

• Hardware requirements capture and management.
• Concept development for complex functions and systems.
• Definition and management of architectures and interfaces.
• Technical management of the RF design team, including power and digital subsystems.
• Production of material for design reviews.
• Development of test planning, integration and design verification.
• Review outputs from team members and other disciplines.
• Mentoring and supervision of junior team members.
• Working with PELs to develop and maintain the project plan.

Skills

RF circuit design

Microwave techniques

Electromagnetic theory

VNA & test gear

Mentoring

Education

Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Physics (related science)

Tools

VNA

Signal generators

Spectrum analysers

Keysight SystemVue

CST

MATLAB

Siemens Dx Designer/Xpedition

Job description

Job Description: Your Impact We have an opportunity for a talented RF Engineer to lead the RF discipline for the Airborne AESA Radar (AAR) sector, driving the development of advanced, cutting‑edge surveillance radar technologies. This is a highly dynamic and forward‑thinking environment where innovation and a desire to do things differently are actively encouraged. It is an excellent opportunity to broaden your technical and leadership experience. Leading the RF design team, you will provide technicl leadership across a broad portfolio of radar programmes, shaping the RF strategy and influencing key technology decisions. Leading a team of RF engineers, you will oversee the current development of a state‑of‑the‑art digital receiver for the Osprey 55 system, while also contributing to the wider AAR product portfolio, including Osprey 20, Osprey, Seaspray and Raven. This is a varied and influential role that covers multiple Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) and is an opportunity to make a significant impact across the sector. You will work across the full product lifecycle, from concepts and technology development through to system integration, verification and customer delivery. A key aspect of the role will be the development and application of advanced RF design, modelling and measurement techniques, ensuring our products remain at the frontier of radar technology. This role permits custom working, however on‑site working will be required on a regular basis, and you will spend a significant part of your time in the lab.

What you’ll do as a Lead RF Engineer

• Hardware requirements capture and management
• Concept development for complex functions and systems
• Definition and management of architectures and interfaces
• Technical management of the RF design team, including power and digital subsystems
• Production of material for design reviews
• Development of test planning, integration and design verification
• Reviewing outputs from team members and from other disciplines
• Mentoring and supervision of more junior team members
• Working with PELs to develop and maintain the project plan

What you’ll bring

You really must have: Degree qualified in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (preferable) or related science (e.g. Physics). Proven experience (5+ years) in RF circuit design and analysis and a strong understanding of microwave techniques and electromagnetic theory A solid grounding in RF theory and proficiency in RF circuit design Expertise with RF test equipment such as VNA, signal generators and spectrum analysers A passion for new technology A desire to improve how we deliver to our customers.

You will have experience in several of the following areas:

• Synthesisers
• Downconverters and receivers
• High speed data converters (ADCs and DACs at GHz clock frequencies)
• Non-linear component modelling and measurement
• Transmit/receive modules
• RF system modelling (e.g. with Keysight System Vue)
• EM design in Keysight Momentum and/or CST
• Matlab
• Siemens Dx Designer/Xpedition

Personal attributes and values are just as important to us as technical ability so we are looking for engineers with a willingness to learn, progress and develop through our dedicated technical career path. If you are passionate in what you do and can deliver a pragmatic approach to problem-solving we would like to hear from you.

Security Clearance

Please note that to apply for this opportunity you must be eligible for UK security clearance. Normally this is to the level of Security Check (typically known as “SC”) for our business which includes having a minimum of 5 years permanent residency in the UK. For more information and guidance please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company‑funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.
• For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Primary Location: GB - Edinburgh Contract Type: Employee-Permanent Hybrid Working: Hybrid International, multicultural, innovative, technological: this is Leonardo. The company’s passionate and talented team is strongly influenced by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) expertise, with a diverse range of experience that enables colleagues to share knowledge and know-how across the generations. Leonardo always wants to expand its talent pool, here you can find the right opportunity for you!