Principal Antenna Engineer (RF)

KVector Ltd.; City Of London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

KVector Ltd. is seeking a senior RF/antenna engineer to own the design and performance of beam-steering antenna systems, from architecture through prototype and production release. You will work closely with the CTO and cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, robust antenna solutions.

You will oversee testing strategies, lead trade studies, and contribute to IP strategy while mentoring junior engineers as the team expands.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years in RF and antenna product development.
• Experience taking RF/antenna hardware from concept through prototype, integration and verification.
• Strong CST/HFSS/ADS proficiency and hands-on RF test experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate and optimise phased-array and beam-steering antenna systems.
• Own performance budgets: gain, bandwidth, efficiency, scan angle and associated thermal/mechanical constraints.
• Translate customer and system requirements into detailed antenna specs.
• Run architecture trade studies across cost, performance, manufacturability and schedule.
• Collaborate with metasurface specialists to convert concepts into robust designs.
• Define testing strategy from chamber to near-field and far-field; close gaps between simulation and measurement.
• Contribute to IP and patent strategy.
• Mentor junior engineers as the team grows and help shape antenna tools and methods.

Skills

RF design

Antenna systems

Hands-on testing

Mentoring

Trade-off judgment

Education

MEng/PhD in RF engineering

Tools

CST

HFSS

ADS

VNAs

Job description

What you'll do

Our metasurface engineers have built something genuinely new in beam-steering. Your job is to turn it into antenna products that perform, scale and ship. You'll own antenna design and performance from architecture through prototype, integration and production release, working closely with our CTO and alongside mechanical, hardware, software and systems engineering. It's a senior individual contributor role: you'll be the technical lead for antennas, with your hands firmly on the design and the measurements.

• Design, simulate and optimise phased-array and beam-steering antenna systems
• Own the performance budgets: gain, bandwidth, efficiency, scan angle, and the thermal and mechanical constraints that come with them
• Turn customer and system requirements into detailed antenna specs
• Run architecture trade studies across cost, performance, manufacturability and schedule
• Work with our metasurface specialists to turn novel concepts into robust product designs
• Define how we test, from chamber to near-field and far-field, and get to the bottom of any gap between simulation and measurement
• Contribute to IP and patent strategy
• Mentor junior engineers as the team grows, and help shape our antenna tools and methods

What you'll bring

• Around 5-10 years in RF and antenna product development
• A track record of taking RF or antenna hardware from concept through prototype, integration and verification
• Antenn...
• Strong skills in CST, HFSS, ADS or equivalent
• Hands-on RF test experience with VNAs, chambers and ranges
• Sound judgement when making trade-offs against time and budget
• A degree in electronic or RF engineering, physics or a related discipline (MEng, PhD or equivalent)
• You're comfortable owning decisions when things are still taking shape

Bonus points if...

• You've worked at X, Ku or Ka band
• You've worked on defence, aerospace or satcom programmes
• You've helped build a near-field or far-field range
• You automate your work with MATLAB or Python
• You've worked in a start-up or fast-paced product team
• You've worked with external design partners or suppliers

About us

KVector is building breakthrough beam-steering antenna technology for the next generation of communications and radar systems.

Our proprietary Dynamic MetaSurface (DMS) tech makes phased-array performance lighter, lower-power and more scalable - across X to E band and beyond.

What you'll get

The chance to define antenna engineering at a company with genuinely new technology

We welcome people from all backgrounds, identities and ways of thinking, and actively seek out diverse perspectives. If you need any support or adjustments during the application process, please reach out to us - we’re here to help.

Please Note:

We do not accept unsolicited applications from recruitment agencies, as we work exclusively with selected partners. Unsolicited submissions are treated as direct applications, with no fees payable.