RF Antenna Test Engineer

Leonardo; Bristol; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave with flexi-days

Award-winning pension scheme

Mental health and financial support

Bonus scheme for employees

Access to 4,000+ online courses

Flexible benefits spending

Hybrid working options

Job summary

Leonardo is seeking an Antenna / RF Test Engineer to join their Bristol team, focusing on advanced testing solutions for military communications equipment. This position requires experience with RF testing environments and skill in test plan writing, script generation, and data analysis. Join a supportive team dedicated to innovation and technology in a hybrid working model. The role offers a competitive benefits package and career development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience working in a lab environment with RF testing.
• Ability to generate detailed test plans and scripts.
• Strong analytical skills with a focus on data interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage test plans and strategies.
• Set up and use advanced test equipment to conduct measurements.
• Calibrate and maintain test equipment accuracy.

Skills

Experience in screened rooms/near field chambers

General electronics understanding

Test plan and report writing

Test script generation in C derivatives, Python, Visual Basic

Test data processing & analysis

Measurement error budgets understanding

Electronics design knowledge

Collaborative communication skills

Tools

LabView

3D CAD modelling

MATLAB

Job description

Job Description

Are you interested in being part of a team delivering excellent innovative Antenna solutions? We have a fantastic opportunity for an Antenna / RF Test Engineer to join our Bristol Site Antennas team. You will be joining a welcoming and inclusive team of engineers, as part of the Antenna Core Delivery Team (CDT) working on a range of projects supporting the development and delivery of military communications equipment for a broad spectrum of applications and environments. As a Test Engineer your role will be to help support the production testing and development of antenna‑based solutions for Leonardo, ranging from development of jigs and fixtures to test script and plan generation in preparation for hands‑on product testing and data analysis.

What You Will Do

• Working with project teams to agree test plans and strategies.
• Planning and scheduling testing activities to ensure project requirements are satisfied.
• Setting up test equipment (e.g. power supplies, spectrum analysers, oscilloscopes, network analysers) and following test plans to take measurements with this equipment.
• Support to general lab management tasks, including creating and maintaining the lab risk assessments and checking ESD equipment.
• Undertake testing within and supporting use of the on‑site screened room and near field chambers.
• Supporting test equipment calibration and record keeping.
• Development of test jigs and fixtures for products under test.
• Data analysis of test results and report writing.
• Generation of test plans and test scripts.

Required & What you will bring

• Experience of working in screened rooms / near field chambers (preferably AESA testing experience).
• An understanding of general electronics and RF based test equipment and how to use them to take measurements.
• Test plan and report writing experience.
• Test script generation in C derivatives, Python and Visual Basic.
• Test data processing & analysis.
• An understanding of measurement error budgets and techniques to quantify and reduce error margins.
• An understanding of electronics design, antenna basics and safe ways of working with ESD.
• A collaborator with proven communication skills across engineering functions (RF, Microwave, Electronics and Mechanical).

Desirable

• Experience of developing tools to automate measurements (e.g. LabView or other scripted methods).
• Experience of designing prototype electronic circuit boards and test cables.
• Experience of fault‑finding test setups and simple circuit boards.
• Experience with 3D CAD modelling and 3D printing.
• MATLAB experience.
• AESA testing experience.
• EMC testing experience.
• An understanding of working with classified data/material.
• Willingness to travel within the UK or internationally as required.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit https //careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

• 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.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger – apply now!

Primary Location

GB – Bristol – Coldharbour Lane

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid