Principal RF Engineer I

Roman Health Pharmacy LLC; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CesiumAstro in Cambridge, UK is seeking a Principal RF Engineer I to lead RF circuits, modules and systems across the full development life cycle. You will design block diagrams, perform detailed schematics and PCB layouts, and contribute to phased array concepts for space systems.

The role requires 9+ years in RF electronics with expert proficiency in CST/ADS and Altium, plus hands-on use of VNA, spectrum analyzers and oscilloscopes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Electrical Engineering (EE) from an accredited university or institution. Master of Science (MS) desired.
• Minimum of 9 years of industry experience in design and analysis of RF electronics and systems.
• Expert-level proficiency in professional simulation tools such as CST and ADS, as well as EDA tools such Altium.
• Extensive hands-on experience with lab instruments such as vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• RF circuits, modules, and systems through all phases of the development process.
• Block diagrams, detailed schematics, PCB layout of RF circuits and system-level concepts.
• Proficiency in link budgets and modulation schemes; end-to-end RF product development.
• Present engineering design review materials to customers and executive team; contribute to proposal-writing efforts.

Skills

RF design

System design

Communication

Education

BS Electrical Engineering

MS Electrical Engineering

Tools

CST

ADS

Altium

Vector Network Analyzers

Spectrum Analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Job description

AtCesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross‑functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands‑on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward‑thinking individuals to join our team.

We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward‑thinking individual to join our team as a Principal RF Engineer I. The ideal candidate has extensive experience inboard‑level and system‑level RF electronics design. If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing leading‑edge phased arrays for satellites, spacecraft, and aerospace systems, we would like to hear from you.

In this position, you will be responsible for RF circuits, modules, and systems through all phases of the development process. The ideal candidate will be proficient in board‑level schematic design and PCB layout of RF circuits, system‑level communications concepts such as link budgets and modulation schemes, and end‑to‑end RF product development. The work will include many aspects of phased array communication systems, including RF front ends, frequency converters and synthesizers, filters, beamformers, power dividers, and phased array antennas.

As a principal hardware team member, you will be responsible for RF system and hardware designs from initial concept through requirements definition, architecture definition, part selection, detailed design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, qualification, and in‑orbit support of Cesium's products. Hardware design tasks will include block diagrams, detailed schematics, PCB layout and routing, simulations, and test design. Principal Engineers also serve as technical and professional mentors in their field and may be given the opportunity to lead company programs.

The successful candidate will also present engineering design review materials to our customers and executive team, as well as participate in proposal‑writing efforts. As such, excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Successful candidates will require:

• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Electrical Engineering (EE) from an accredited university or institution. Master of Science (MS) desired.
• Minimum of 9 years of industry experience in design and analysis of RF electronics and systems.
• Expert‑level proficiency in professional simulation tools such as CST and ADS, as well as EDA tools such Altium.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with lab instruments such as vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred experience includes:

• Python or other programming languages.
• Aerospace electronics design, development, and qualification.
• Worst‑case circuit analysis, failure method and criticality analyses, and reliability analysis.
• Antenna design.
• EMI/EMC design and mitigation techniques.

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Please be aware that many roles will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including new starter’s nationality, any previous or dual nationalities held, place of birth and country of residence may limit those roles that you can perform for the organisation.

Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members not through our approved vendor list or Talent Acquisition will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.