Principal RF Engineer

Leonardo UK Ltd; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

12 flexi-days

Pension up to 15%

Mental health support

Coursera & LinkedIn Learning

Refer a friend bonus

Private healthcare

Tech & lifestyle discounts

Job summary

Leonardo UK Ltd is seeking an experienced RF engineer to lead analogue and RF electronics design for laboratory and aircraft demonstrators, based in Southampton or Bristol. You will support the product lifecycle from design to test and delivery, collaborating with mechanical teams to meet stringent defence requirements.

The role requires hands-on RF circuit design up to 30 GHz, PCB advisory input, and strong reporting with design reviews in a high-technology defence environment.

Qualifications

• Proven hands-on RF circuit design from DC to 30 GHz.
• Experience advising PCB layout teams.
• Hands-on RF test and measurement skills.
• Proficient in RF and system modelling/simulation.
• Ability to produce concise technical reports and design implementation details.
• Experience in high-technology defence environment and design reviews.

Responsibilities

• Deliver work packages on analogue and RF electronics.
• Design inter-vehicle data link and participate in system tests.
• Model proposed architectures to determine optimal solution.
• Simulate RF designs and document configurations in Teamcenter.
• Support lab hardware demonstrator development and testing.
• Collaborate with mechanical team to address design requirements.

Skills

RF design

PCB layout advisory

RF testing

RF modelling

Technical reporting

Design reviews

Education

Degree in Electronics Engineering

Chartered Engineer (preferred)

Tools

Teamcenter

RF simulation tools

Job description

Job Description

We are excited to be recruiting for an experienced Engineer with microwave engineering knowledge, familiar with working on complex electronic (ideally RF-based) sensor systems. The role can be based in either Southampton or Bristol and will focus on the electronics design of the RF and control subsystems; to be implemented on laboratory and aircraft concept demonstrators.

You will provide technical support throughout the product lifecycle including design implementation, integration and test, system trials and product delivery.

Your Impact

You will be responsible for delivery of work packages focused on analogue and RF electronics, covering the inter vehicle data link design, system test and integration. Modelling of proposed architectures to determine the optimal solution. Simulation of RF design. Documentation of design including configuration management within Teamcenter. Support laboratory hardware demonstrator development and test.

What we are looking for

Practical hands on experience of RF design of circuitry, ideally between DC and 30 GHz, but if you don’t have experience over this whole range then we’d still be interested to hear from you.

Experience of working with PCB layout personnel in an advisory capacity.

Hands on experience of using RF test and measurement equipment to develop and debug RF circuitry.

Ability to use RF and system modelling and simulation tools.

Ability to produce concise technical reports detailing design solutions and implementation.

Ability to understand and follow the business practices, such as design reviews, which come with working in a high technology defence environment.

Degree in relevant engineering or related scientific discipline (Electronics Engineering preferred).

As part of an electromechanical project, be willing to work closely with the mechanical team members to create a solution which addresses all design requirements.

Nice to have

Knowledge / experience of digital or mixed signal design.

Experience in system level and sub-system integration and debug.

Experience of working in the defence electronics sector.

Chartered Engineer status, or a member of a professional engineering institution.

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

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.

Benefits

• 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.

Remuneration

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Where this vacancy is being recruited across more than one grade, the successful candidate will be appointed to a specific assessed grade, and the applicable salary range will be that associated with the grade of appointment.

Leonardo offers an additional allowances for some roles - for more information please contact [e-mail]

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

About Leonardo

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.

Locations & Contract

Primary Location: GB - Southampton

Additional Locations: GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane

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!