RF Lead Engineer

Forefront RF; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Share option plan

25 days holiday

Weekly company lunches

Flexible hours

Remote work options

Private medical insurance

Life assurance x4

Income protection

Healthshield cash plan

Heka benefits platform

Job summary

Forefront RF in Cambridge, UK seeks an RF Lead Engineer to drive detailed RF design, development, and delivery within a defined system architecture. The role combines hands-on RF engineering with leadership, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration.

You will ensure RF designs meet performance, quality, and schedule requirements while working closely with the System Architect and other engineering disciplines. This position offers flexible hours and remote work options.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on RF design experience across relevant frequency ranges.
• Proven experience leading RF technical delivery on complex projects.
• Excellent communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead RF design activities in line with system-level requirements and architecture.
• Own subsystem performance, implementation, and delivery.
• Define and execute RF test plans and verification activities; analyse S-parameters, NF and phase noise.

Skills

RF design

RF leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Degree in RF Engineering

Tools

ADS

AWR

CST

HFSS

Job description

RF Lead Engineer

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:

Our values are the quiet nudge that help us to be our best in every interaction.

• One team : We are one team. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work – we listen, share, and build solutions together. We support one another, embrace challenges and fun, and celebrate collective success. Together with our stakeholders, we turn collaboration into outcomes that matter.
• Innovation with intent : We operate at the forefront of technology, building innovative pathways to the future that meets real customer needs.
• Solutions driven : We deliver effortless connectivity through innovative, manufacturable designs that solve real world challenges.
• Customer focused: We act with integrity and hold ourselves accountable to deliver customer focused solutions. All decisions we make are guided by a deep commitment to meeting our customers’ expectations.
• Sustainable : We make responsible choices in design, supply chain, and operations.
• We simplify where possible, reducing waste, and contributing to a more efficient and sustainable RF ecosystem.

Role Overview:

We are seeking a skilled RF Lead Engineer to join our growing development team in Cambridge, UK.

You will lead the detailed RF design, development, and delivery of RF subsystems within a defined system architecture. This role is hands–on and delivery-focused, combining deep RF technical expertise with team leadership, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration. You will be responsible for ensuring RF designs meet performance, quality, and schedule requirements, working closely with the System Architect and other engineering disciplines.

Key Responsibilities:

RF Technical Leadership

• Lead RF design activities across assigned projects in line with system-level requirements and architecture
• Own subsystem performance, implementation, and technical delivery
• Lead design reviews and provide technical approval for RF designs

RF Design & Development

• Design, simulate, and validate RF circuits and subsystems (e.g. LNAs, PAs, filters, Duplexers)
• Translate system and architectural requirements into detailed RF designs
• Support RF trade-offs and optimisation within given architectural constraints

Testing & Verification

• Define and execute RF test plans and verification activities
• Analyse RF measurements including S-parameters, NF, phase noise, EVM, ACPR, and linearity
• Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis of RF performance issues

Mentorship & Team Development

• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to RF engineers
• Promote best practices in RF design, documentation, and verification
• Support skills development and knowledge sharing within the RF team

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the System Architect, and full multi-disciplinary team
• Provide RF input to project planning, risk management, and technical decision-making
• Support manufacturing, production test, and in-service support activities

Requirements

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:

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in RF Engineering, Electronics, Physics, or a related field
• Strong hands-on experience in RF design across relevant frequency ranges
• Proven experience leading RF technical delivery on complex projects
• Solid understanding of RF theory, measurements, and practical implementation
• Experience using RF simulation and design tools (e.g. ADS, AWR, CST, HFSS)
• Proficient with RF test equipment (VNAs, spectrum analysers, signal generators, power meters, etc.)

People Skills:

• Delivery-focused with strong technical judgement
• 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.