RF Design Engineer

Roke; Romsey; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

30 days annual leave

Private medical cover

Healthcare and wellbeing

Job summary

Roke imagines a more secure world. We seek a passionate RF Design Engineer to join our dynamic team working on cutting-edge defence electronics and electromagnetic warfare systems.

You will design, simulate, and test RF and analogue circuits, collaborate with project teams, and contribute to documentation and reviews while supporting the Technical Lead. Hybrid working and security clearance are key aspects of this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronics Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience with RF performance modelling (e.g., Microwave Office) and PCB layout using Altium.
• Experience designing RF solutions with very low SWaP-C (Size, Weight and Power, and Cost).
• Experience in RF design for harsh environments (EMC, vibration, thermal).
• Experience overseeing the transition of development hardware into production, including environmental testing, qualification testing and design certification.
• Experience working with spectrum analysers, vector analysers, power meters, signal generators, filters, switches, receivers, and power supplies.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and implement RF and analogue electronic circuits and systems for defence-related projects.
• Conduct hands-on integration, testing, troubleshooting, and debugging to optimise performance.
• Participate in design reviews and provide technical input to enhance project outcomes.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation and reports with high quality.
• Provide technical support to the Technical Lead and mentor junior engineers.

Skills

RF Design

Low SWaP-C

Harsh environments

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronics Engineering

Tools

Microwave Office

Altium

Job description

Roke imagines a more secure world. A world where technology protects, rather than exposes. A world where expert engineers, consultants and business support staff collaborate to protect what matters most to our clients.

We are a friendly and flexible team with a culture of ‘time, trust and freedom’. We pride ourselves on listening to each other’s aspirations and accommodating wherever possible.

The Opportunity

Roke is a leader in cutting-edge technology solutions for the defence industry with clients spanning National Security, Defence, and wider. We work alongside our customers to solve their complex and unique challenges.

Your projects will be diverse – working with varying clients, across a number of sectors, using a range of skills. Consequently, we are looking for individuals able to work flexibly across projects in different domains. You might apply your skills to rapidly prototype new approaches and solutions. Equally, you may apply them to complement or advance existing solutions.

You will be part of a stimulating, collaborative and driven team that offers you autonomy, challenge, and strong sense of purpose. Depending on the project, there will be opportunities to demonstrate technology to customers and support customer test and acceptance. We seek a passionate RF Design Engineer to join our dynamic team. You'll contribute to cutting‑edge electronics for defence and electromagnetic warfare systems. This role combines hands‑on design with project leadership.

Why We Want You

As an RF Design Engineer at Roke, you will play a pivotal role in designing and developing cutting‑edge RF electronics for defence and electromagnetic warfare applications. You will have the opportunity to work on challenging projects that make a significant impact on defence and national security.

You will:

• Design, simulate, and implement RF and analogue electronic circuits and systems for defence‑related projects (in domains such as electromagnetic warfare, positioning and timing, and survivability) with cutting‑edge solutions
• Conduct hands‑on integration, testing, troubleshooting, and debugging of RF and analogue electronic circuits, systems and components, to optimize their performance (e.g., impedance, VSWR, wideband operation)
• Participate in design reviews and provide valuable technical input to enhance project outcomes.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation and reports with highest quality (e.g., design specifications, test plans, and results for compliance evidence) with a focus on RF and analogue electronic circuits and systems.
• Provide technical support to the Technical Lead (e.g., risk management, input to customer meetings).
• Provide mentoring and feedback to junior engineers, in support of the team's professional growth.
• Proactively communicate and collaborate with stakeholders, within and outside the project team.
• Comply with Roke policies effectively.
• Comply with Roke design and development processes.
• Possess excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills.

Key responsibilities:

Desired Technical Leadership qualities:

• Excellent communication and organisation skills.
• Foster the use of industry standards and best practices and safety standards, to ensure compliance, in a collaborative agile delivery.
• Identify and collaborate with all stakeholders.
• Engage with other technical experts.
• Provide guidance to colleagues and stakeholders
• Able to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Project & Agile Methodology:

• Undertake engineering design and development activities on time, on budget and in quality.
• Provide timely and accurate estimates of effort to completion, assessing complexity, and identifying risks.
• Support the definition of, and meeting of, project goals
• Work closely with Project Managers, Design Authorities, Systems Engineers, and other stakeholders to translate project requirements into actionable tasks.

Collaboration & Process Improvement:

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams
• Foster a positive and productive work environment
• Identify opportunities for improving engineering processes and practices.
• Implement best practices and tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the development.
• Continually review the process by identifying bottlenecks and proposing improvements.

Desirable knowledge:

• Excellent skills in using Microwave Office
• Excellent skills in using Altium
• Design at frequencies from LF up to X Band
• Design of Low Noise Amplifiers
• Design of receivers
• Working with high‑power amplifiers
• Knowledge of the defence business domain

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronics Engineering, or equivalent qualification in the relevant field
• Experience in development and use of RF performance models (e.g., Microwave Office) and PCB circuit layout design (e.g., Altium)
• Experience in designing solutions with very low SWaP‑C (Size, Weight and Power, and Cost)
• Experience in RF design for harsh environments (EMC, vibration, thermal)Experience of overseeing the transition of development hardware into production, including environmental testing, qualification testing and design certification
• Experience working with spectrum analysers, vector analysers, power meters, signal generators, filters, switches, receivers, and power supplies
• Competitive reward package – highly competitive salary, performance‑related bonuses, salary reviews and pension scheme.
• Work‑life balance – flexible working through flexi‑time and hybrid arrangements, plus 30 days' annual leave with the option to buy or sell additional holiday.
• Learning and development – access to over 20,000 LinkedIn Learning courses and our dedicated Roke Academy, supporting continuous learning and career development.
• Health and wellbeing support – flexible benefits including life assurance, a Healthcare Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme and eye care support.
• Private medical cover – access to private healthcare through Bupa.
• Recognition and rewards – length of service awards that celebrate and reward your contribution.
• Supportive and inclusive culture – a range of employee community groups that bring colleagues together, foster meaningful connections and create a genuine sense of belonging.

All benefits are subject to eligibility, terms and conditions.

Security Information

Due to the nature of this position, we require you to be willing and eligible to achieve a minimum of SC clearance and then DV clearance. To qualify, the candidate should be a British Citizen and have resided in the UK for the last 5 years for SC and 10 years for DV.