RF Engineer

Forefront RF; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and pension

Company Share Option Scheme

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Weekly company lunches

Flexible work hours and remote work

Private medical insurance

Life assurance x 4

Income protection

Healthshield Cash plan

Heka flexible benefits platform

Job summary

Forefront RF in Cambridge is seeking an RF engineer to design cutting-edge RF modules in a fast-moving start-up environment. You will collaborate with IC designers, systems engineers, and software teams to deliver high-performance multi-chip modules for next-generation wireless devices.

You should have hands-on experience with RF front-end blocks, RF test equipment, and RF simulation tools, with a passion for practical, manufacturable solutions and relentless problem solving.

Qualifications

• Experience developing RF modules or sub-systems (PAs, LNAs, duplexers, filters) for high-volume production.
• Knowledge of low-noise, low-power, high-linearity design techniques used in 4G/5G RF front-end modules.
• Strong RF fundamentals: impedance matching, Smith charts, passive RLC networks, linearity, harmonic behaviour.
• Experience using RF simulation tools such as ADS, Microwave Office, or similar RF design environments.
• Hands-on RF test equipment familiarity: VNAs, spectrum analysers, noise meters; able to perform gain, NF, IIP3, isolation measurements.
• Broad electronics knowledge with familiarity with interfaces like MIPI RFFE is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with debugging RF systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop RF front-end circuits and RF functional blocks to meet performance requirements.
• Collaborate with IC design teams developing PAs, LNAs, duplexers, filters, and other RF blocks.
• Integrate design blocks into multi-chip modules for low-loss, high-performance implementations.
• Optimize module layouts balancing size, performance and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with applications, systems, algorithms, and software teams to optimize overall module performance.
• Define, develop, and deliver comprehensive module test plans with internal stakeholders.
• Operate effectively in a fast-paced startup/scale-up environment.
• Communicate and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and share knowledge.

Skills

RF module development

RF front-end design

RF fundamentals

Analytical problem solving

MIPI RFFE knowledge

Tools

ADS

Microwave Office

RF design environments

Job description

Location: Cambridge, UK

Team: Engineering

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About Us

Forefront RF is a fabless semiconductor company developing breakthrough RF technology that radically simplifies RF front-end architectures for mobile and connected devices. Our long-term vision is to empower anyone to treat global connectivity as a commodity, effortlessly adding it to any device. We lead through innovation, solving our customers' toughest challenges, enabling them to stay ahead by pushing the boundaries of RF design.

Our Values

• One team: We listen, share, and build solutions together. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work. We support one another, embrace challenges and fun, and celebrate collective success.
• Innovation with intent: We operate at the forefront of technology, building innovative pathways to the future that meets real customer needs
• Solutions driven: We develop world leading manufacturable products that deliver effortless connectivity.
• Customer focused: We act with integrity, hold ourselves accountable, and are guided by a deep commitment to deliver customer focused solutions.
• Sustainable: We design for longevity and reuse - leveraging globally connected RF technology to extend product lifecycles and reduce waste

Role Overview

We are looking for an RF engineer who is excited by the challenge of building cutting-edge RF modules in a fast-moving start-up environment. You will collaborate with IC designers, systems engineers, and software teams to integrate advanced RF technologies into high-performance multi-chip modules and help drive innovative wireless solutions to market.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop RF front-end circuits and RF functional blocks to meet the specified performance requirements
• Collaborate with internal and external IC design teams developing integrated digital tuneable capacitors, power amplifiers (PAs), low noise amplifiers (LNAs), RF switches, digital interfaces, and power management solutions
• Integrate these design blocks into multi-chip modules, ensuring low-loss and high-performance implementations
• Optimise module layouts to balance size, performance, and manufacturability
• Work closely with applications, systems, algorithm, and software teams to optimise overall module performance within target applications
• Partner with internal stakeholders and test teams to define, develop, and deliver comprehensive module test plans
• Operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly innovative start-up/scale-up environment
• Communicate and collaborate efficiently across multidisciplinary teams
• Document results, design decisions, and technical work clearly, and share knowledge with team members

About you

You're excited by the opportunity to work with breakthrough technologies. You may thrive in this role if you have some or all the following:

Education & experience

• Experience developing RF modules or sub-systems (PAs, LNAs, duplexers, filters, etc) intended for high-volume production
• Knowledge of low-noise, low-power, and high-linearity design techniques used in 4G/5G RF front-end modules
• A strong understanding of RF fundamentals, including impedance matching, Smith charts, passive RLC networks, linearity, and harmonic behaviour
• Experience using RF simulation tools such as ADS, Microwave Office, or similar RF design environments
• Hands-on experience with RF test equipment such as VNAs, spectrum analysers, and noise meters, including performing and troubleshooting measurements such as gain, noise figure (NF), IIP3, and isolation
• Broad electronics knowledge, with familiarity with industry interfaces such as MIPI RFFE considered an advantage
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to debug complex RF systems

People Skills

• Proactive approach to problem-solving with a resilient attitude towards ambiguity.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality output

Benefits

• Competitive salary and pension contributions
• Company Share Option Scheme
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Weekly company lunches
• Flexible work hours and remote work options
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance x 4
• Income protection
• Healthshield Cash plan
• Heka flexible benefits platform

We believe in equal opportunities

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.