RF Systems Communications Engineer

Groupe SII; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

SII UK is seeking an RF System Communications Engineer to lead the development and delivery of RF Communications products within a complex Aerospace programme. You will be responsible for product performance, supplier management, cost, schedule, risk, and quality throughout the lifecycle.

You will collaborate with engineering teams and suppliers, lead technical reviews, ensure compliance with requirements, review documentation, and perform RF analyses such as link budgets and performance

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of RF communications systems and spacecraft architectures.
• Experience with RF equipment, antennas, and payloads.
• Knowledge of link budgets, RF performance analysis, and verification.
• Familiarity with system engineering methodologies and documentation reviews.
• Experience in qualification, environmental testing, and production readiness reviews.
• Product ownership, lifecycle management, and risk/cost/schedule management.

Responsibilities

• Lead RF Communications product development from design through qualification and delivery.
• Manage cost, schedule, quality, risk, and technical performance.
• Interface between engineering teams, stakeholders, and suppliers.
• Lead technical reviews, governance, and milestones.
• Ensure compliance with customer requirements and engineering standards.
• Review and approve technical documentation, verification plans, and test results.
• Perform RF analyses including link budgets and performance assessments.
• Manage supplier performance, contracts, changes, and delivery schedules.
• Lead non-conformance, quality, and product assurance activities.
• Support production, integration, testing, and acceptance activities.
• Prepare and deliver documentation for major programme reviews.

Skills

RF communications

Spacecraft comms

Antennas

Payload hardware

Link budget

RF performance

Subsystem design

Verification & validation

System engineering

Documentation review

Environmental testing

Production readiness

Product lifecycle

Risk management

Schedule management

Cost management

Supplier management

Change control

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Multidisciplinary engineering

Tools

RF test equipment

Job description

We are seeking an RF System Communications Engineer to lead the development and delivery of RF Communications products within a complex Aerospace programme. This person shall be responsible for product performance, supplier management, cost, schedule, risk, quality, and successful delivery throughout the product lifecycle.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead RF Communications product development from design through qualification and delivery.

• Manage product cost, schedule, quality, risk, and technical performance.

• Act as the primary interface between engineering teams, programme stakeholders, and suppliers.

• Lead technical reviews, product governance, and development milestones.

• Ensure compliance with customer requirements, system requirements, and engineering standards.

• Review and approve technical documentation, specifications, verification plans, and test results.

• Perform and oversee RF analyses including link budgets, data volume assessments, and communications performance analysis.

• Manage supplier performance, contracts, change requests, and delivery schedules.

• Lead non-conformance, quality, and product assurance activities.

• Support production, integration, testing, and acceptance activities.

• Prepare and deliver documentation packages for major programme reviews.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Strong understanding of RF communications systems and spacecraft communications architectures.

• Experience with RF equipment, antennas, communications payloads, and associated subsystem hardware.

• Knowledge of:

  • Link budget analysis
  • RF performance analysis
  • Communications subsystem design
  • Verification and validation processes

• System engineering methodologies

• Ability to review and approve technical specifications, interface documents, and verification plans.

• Familiarity with qualification, environmental testing, and production readiness reviews.

• Programme & Product Management Skills:

  • Product ownership and lifecycle management experience.
  • Risk and opportunity management.
  • Schedule and cost management.
  • Supplier management and performance monitoring.
  • Change control and configuration management.

• Soft Skills:

  • Strong leadership and decision-making capability.
  • Effective communication and presentation skills.
  • Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
  • Capability to work within complex, multidisciplinary engineering environments.

DESIRABLE SKILLS

• Experience with spacecraft or satellite communications subsystems.

• Knowledge of antenna systems and RF equipment development.

• Experience working within highly regulated engineering programmes.

• Understanding of manufacturing, integration, and test activities.

• Familiarity with APQP processes and development assurance standards.

• Experience supporting system-level design reviews and customer data package submissions.

With five strategic offices in Belfast, Chester, Farnborough, London and Oxford, we work in partnership with our customers UK-wide to deliver high-impact engineering solutions.

SII UK is a trusted Aerospace and Defence engineering partner, supporting the delivery of complex, mission-critical programmes while helping to shape the future of innovation across next-generation systems and technologies.

Our teams contribute daily to creating a fulfilling, stimulating and career development focused work environment.

True to our human-centred values, we are committed to making SII UK a Great Place To Work®, having been certified 5 years running.

Joining SII UK means being part of our collective goals, guided by our mission “Let’s Tech Together,” and helping to build a digital future that is sustainable, at the heart of an environment that values learning & collaboration.

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