Principal RF Engineer

Physics World; Salisbury; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a skilled RF Engineer to lead innovative projects in the defence and security sector. This role offers the chance to shape and deliver RF engineering tasks, engage with diverse stakeholders, and contribute significantly to the UK's defence landscape. The successful candidate will leverage their expertise in RF modelling and simulation, alongside leadership skills, to manage complex projects and provide robust scientific advice. Join a collaborative team committed to diversity and inclusion, where your contributions will make a real impact on national security.

Benefits

Excellent pension scheme (26% employer contribution)

Flexible working options

25 days annual leave plus public holidays

Maternity and parental leave benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Onsite parking and EV charging points

Qualifications

• Strong background in RF modelling and simulation with leadership experience.
• Proficient in electronics and communication protocols.

Responsibilities

• Lead RF engineering tasks for various customers and projects.
• Engage with industry and academia for project support.

Skills

Radio Frequency (RF) Modelling

Cyber & Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA)

Electronic Warfare

Communications Modulation Techniques

Signal Processing

Networking Protocols

Education

MSc in STEM (Engineering, Physics, Mathematics)

Job description

Location

Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JQ

At Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver. To do this successfully in this job will require attendance at a Dstl location; Government Departments including wider MOD or Delivery and Mission Partner’s premises for at least 60% of your working time. Where business needs allow, and with the agreement of your line manager, there may be the option for a combination of workplace and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement.

About the job

Job summary

Do you have a background in Radio Frequency (RF) Modelling and Simulation with experience in Cyber & Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA), Electronic Warfare or Communications domains? If you do this role could be for you & we want to hear from you!

You will join our amazing Team at Dstl where you will export your Leadership skills and knowledge to Shape, Lead and deliver RF Engineering based tasks for a variety of our customers.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Job description

In this role you will:

• Shape, lead and deliver Radio Frequency (RF) engineering-based tasks for a variety of customers varying from very short-term operational research tasks to longer term development and research on generation-after-next activities.
• Engage with industry and academia to leverage their support via commercial linkages to deliver tasks in support of customer requirements.
• Confidently engage with customers, end users and programme/project managers as appropriate providing scientifically robust advice and formal reporting.
• Manage and/or participate in laboratory testing, analysis and field trials to provide robust scientific evidence in support of research and procurement activities.

You will receive the opportunity to work on unique projects and make a real difference to the UK defence and security landscape.

Person specification

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of electronics, Radio Frequency (RF) systems, signal processing, networking protocols and information models/behaviours.
• Demonstrate experience in communications modulation techniques and protocols standards.

Experience:

• Experience of RF test and measurement practices.
• Leadership attributes with technical stewardship of a small team to deliver complex projects.

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Qualifications

MSc degree in a STEM subject (such as engineering, physics or mathematics) or equivalent experience.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Developing Self and Others

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership

Benefits

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution. In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid.

• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

• Pension: Alongside your salary Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes a minimum of £13,586 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team [e-mail] and we will do all we can to support you.

Sifting will take place week commencing the 5th May 2025 with interviews to be arranged on the 20th & 21st May 2025

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name Dstl Recruitment Team
• Email [e-mail]

Recruitment team

• Email [e-mail]

Further information

Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email [e-mail] stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.