Lead RF Engineer

StandardX; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Health Cover

Life Assurance (Death in Service)

Salary sacrifice pension

Cycle to Work Scheme

EMI Share Options

Job summary

StandardX is seeking a Lead RF Engineer to own the end-to-end RF system design for high‑power accelerators, from RF power sources through transmission to beam‑coupled structures. You will define operating points, margins, fault envelopes and scaling paths for higher beam power and duty factor.

You will lead RF diagnostics, protection, and integration with LLRF, controls and machine protection systems, while supporting hands‑on integration, commissioning and early operations with supplier

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience delivering high‑power RF accelerator systems.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end RF system design for high‑power accelerators, from RF power sources through transmission to beam‑coupled structures.
• Define RF architecture, operating points, power margins, fault envelopes, and scaling paths to higher beam power and duty factor.
• Lead RF diagnostics, protection, and integration with LLRF, controls and machine protection systems.
• Support hands‑on RF integration, conditioning, commissioning and early operations, while leading supplier technical direction and design reviews.

Skills

RF power sources

RF transmission systems

Beam-coupled structures

LLRF/real-time control

System-level ownership

Education

PhD in RF engineering or accelerator physics

Tools

LLRF controls

Job description

About You

As Lead RF Engineer, you'll be the responsible engineer for all RF power systems on StandardX's high‑power accelerator platforms, from RF generation through transmission to the beam–structure interface.

You’ll own RF architecture, operating margins, protection philosophy and scaling paths as systems increase in power and duty factor.

This is a hands‑on, system‑level role for someone who has delivered high‑power RF accelerator systems in practice, not just on paper - with strong experience across RF power sources, transmission systems and beam‑coupled structures.

You’ll work closely with accelerator physics and EC&I to ensure RF systems are correctly specified, protected, and integrated for reliable, high‑availability operation in regulated environments.

You’ll be seeking ownership over supervision, spanning design, integration, commissioning, and early operation and you’ll be comfortable with startup pace and fast‑shifting scope.

You bring strong system‑level engineering judgment and be trusted to lead, not just execute.

About StandardX

There is infrastructure that defines eras. The steam engine made the industrial world possible. The internet created an economy. StandardX is building the next one.

Some of the most essential materials on Earth are also the rarest. Isotopes are the invisible backbone of modern life - curing cancer, keeping industrial systems resilient and fuelling the fusion reactors that will power the next century.

Yet the infrastructure that produces them is ageing, fragmented and increasingly unable to keep up with demand.

We’re a world‑class team of nuclear engineers, deep tech operators and doctoral‑level scientists building the UK’s first isotope refinery: a single proprietary platform, deployable anywhere, producing the full portfolio of critical isotopes at scale - turning chronic scarcity into abundance.

Exceptional team. Massive problem. If you want to work on something that matters, really matters, this is it.

Key Objectives

• Own the end-to-end RF system design for high‑power accelerators, from RF power sources through transmission to beam‑coupled structures.
• Define RF architecture, operating points, power margins, fault envelopes and scaling paths to higher beam power and duty factor.
• Lead RF diagnostics, protection, and integration with LLRF, controls and machine protection systems.
• Support hands‑on RF integration, conditioning, commissioning, and early operations, while leading supplier technical direction and design reviews.

Your Responsibilities

Architecture & Design

• Own the end-to-end RF system design for high‑power accelerators, from RF power sources through transmission to beam‑coupled structures
• Define RF architecture, operating points, power margins, fault envelopes, and scaling paths to higher beam power and duty factor

Integration & Protection

• Specify and integrate RF power systems (tetrodes/SSAs), waveguides, couplers, circulators, loads and cooling interfaces
• Lead design and integration of RF diagnostics and protection, including forward/reflected power, phase and amplitude stability, arc detection and fast shutdown
• Interface RF systems with LLRF, controls, and machine protection systems, ensuring deterministic response and safe operation

Physics, Reviews & Compliance

• Work closely with accelerator physics to ensure RF systems support beam quality, stability and availability
• Lead RF contributions to design reviews, safety cases and regulatory submissions

Commissioning & Supplier Direction

• Support hands‑on RF integration, conditioning, commissioning and early operations
• Own RF‑related supplier technical direction, specifications and acceptance testing

Requirements

• 5+ years' experience delivering high‑power RF accelerator systems
• Strong experience with RF power sources (tetrodes, IOTs, or solid‑state amplifiers)
• Hands‑on experience with RF transmission systems (waveguides, couplers, circulators, loads)
• Experience with beam‑coupled RF structures or high‑power resonant cavities
• Practical commissioning and conditioning experience on complex RF systems
• Solid understanding of RF protection, interlocks and fast shutdown
• System‑level engineering judgment and strong ownership in fast‑moving environments

Ideal Experience

• Experience in the design of cyclotron accelerator RF cavities
• PhD in RF engineering, accelerator physics, or a closely related field
• Experience scaling RF systems to higher power or duty factor
• Direct experience with accelerator RF systems and beam loading effects
• LLRF or real‑time control experience (FPGA-based systems, digital feedback)
• Comfortable leading
• Experience in HAZOP and safety reviews
• Familiarity with multipacting, breakdown mitigation and high‑gradient structures
• Exposure to machine protection systems and safety cases

Benefits

Private Health Cover, with the option to add dependants.

Life Assurance (Death in Service) at 4x salary.

Salary sacrifice pension, with 4% employer contribution.

Cycle to Work Scheme.

EMI Share Options.