Radio Frequency Engineer

Quell; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Security clearance

Patent history

Manufacturing QA experience

Linux experience

Job summary

Quell, a defence and security AI startup near Cambridge, seeks an RF Engineer to design, implement, and optimise high-frequency RF systems for sensing and communication. The role suits entry to senior candidates depending on experience, offering exposure to cutting-edge RF technologies within a multidisciplinary engineering team.

You will work on antennas, beamforming, SDRs, and RF front-end components; you will test, simulate, and document results while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 3–5 years RF design/testing experience (5+ years for senior; entry-level with strong fundamentals)
• Hands-on RF lab equipment experience (spectrum/network analysers, signal generators)
• Strong understanding of phased-array antennas and beamforming
• Experience with SDRs and tools such as GNURadio
• Solid knowledge of RF and microwave theory
• Experience with RF front-end components (LNAs, PAs, filters)
• Familiarity with RF communication and modulation standards

Responsibilities

• Design RF systems and components (antennas, filters, amplifiers)
• Work on phased-array antenna design and beamforming technologies
• Test and validate RF hardware for performance and compliance
• Perform RF simulations using industry tools
• Collaborate to integrate RF components into larger systems
• Document test results and maintain records

Skills

RF design

Phased-array

Beamforming

GNU Radio

LNA/PA design

RF/microwave theory

RF front-end

Modulation standards

Education

Bachelor/Master in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Spectrum Analyzers

Signal Generators

Network Analyzers

Job description

Quell is a high-growth British defence and security AI technology start-up developing solutions to counter drone, vehicle, and human threats across the military, civilian and critical national infrastructure sectors.

Based near Cambridge, we are seeking exceptional RF Engineers to design, implement, and optimise RF systems for high-frequency communication and sensing applications. This role can suit entry-level, mid-level, or senior candidates, depending on experience, and offers the opportunity to work on cutting‑edge RF technologies within a multidisciplinary engineering team.

Key Responsibilities

• Designing and optimising RF systems and components (e.g., antennas, filters, amplifiers)
• Working on phased-array antenna design and beamforming technologies
• Testing and validating RF hardware for performance, reliability, and regulatory compliance
• Performing RF simulations using industry tools and modelling environments
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate RF components into larger systems
• Documenting test results, maintaining records, and ensuring compliance with relevant standards

Requirements

Education - Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline

Experience & Technical Skills

• 3–5 years of RF design/testing experience (5+ years for senior roles; entry-level considered with strong fundamentals)
• Hands‑on experience with RF lab equipment (spectrum/network analysers, signal generators)
• Strong understanding of phased-array antennas and beamforming
• Experience with SDRs and tools such as GNURadio
• Solid knowledge of RF and microwave theory
• Experience with RF front‑end components (LNAs, PAs, filters)
• Familiarity with RF communication and modulation standards

Preferred

• Linux experience for system setup and testing workflows
• History of patent contributions
• Security clearance (or ability to obtain one)
• Experience with manufacturing processes and quality assurance

Details

Location:

• North Uttlesford / Greater Cambridge area, on‑site
• Five days a week on‑site (ie: this is not a hybrid role)
• Full UK driving licence required. If this isn't held, candidates will need to commit to obtaining within 6 months of their start date
• Applicants must be fully eligible to work in the UK without restriction, time limit, or the need for current or future sponsorship