RF Technical Bid Lead

IC Resources; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology leader in RF solutions based in the UK is seeking a Technical Bid Lead to drive technical direction in bids across Space & Defence. The ideal candidate will develop high-quality technical bid content and respond to proposals supporting critical industries. Applicants should have strong experience in RF/microwave systems and excellent technical writing skills. This hands-on role offers the chance to impact significant programmes in mission-critical communications.

Qualifications

• Deep experience in RF/microwave systems, technical product leadership, or bid ownership within Space or Defence.
• Strong understanding of RF subsystems such as amplifiers, filters, and integrated RF modules.
• Familiarity with Space/Defence development cycles and related standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical input for bids from qualification through submission and handover.
• Define solution architectures and engineering estimates with SMEs.
• Produce technical documentation including compliance matrices and risk registers.
• Ensure proposals meet Space & Defence qualification requirements.
• Represent the technical function during customer negotiations.

Skills

Exceptional technical writing and communication skills

Strong commercial awareness with strategic thinking

Highly collaborative

Excellent organisation and accuracy

Attention to detail

Education

Degree in RF Engineering, Electronics, Physics, or similar

Master’s / PhD

Job description

Please note: All applicants for the Technical Bid Lead position must be able to pass UK Security Clearance (SC).

My client is a long-established leader in high-performance RF, microwave and mmWave technology, supplying advanced subsystems into telecommunications, aerospace & defence, space, and other mission-critical communications markets. With decades of engineering capability and a strong reputation for delivering complex RF solutions, they continue to support some of the most significant programmes across the global connectivity landscape.

They are now looking to appoint a Technical Bid Lead to drive the technical direction of bids across Space & Defence. This individual will own the development of technical solutions and supporting material throughout the bid lifecycle, ensuring proposals are robust, compliant, competitive, and aligned with the company’s strategic roadmap.

In this role, you will act as the key technical interface for bids and proposals, producing engineering content, cost and schedule estimates, compliance matrices, and risk assessments. Working closely with business development, engineering SMEs, bid management, finance, and commercial teams, you will shape compelling proposals that meet stringent industry requirements.

This is a hands-on position: you will be directly involved in crafting high-quality technical bid content under tight deadlines, not simply coordinating inputs. It’s a high-impact opportunity at the intersection of engineering, strategy, and customer engagement—ideal for someone who thrives on technical depth and practical execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technical input for bids from qualification through submission and handover, transforming complex engineering capabilities into clear, winning proposal content.
• Define solution architectures, delivery strategies, and engineering estimates in collaboration with subject-matter experts.
• Produce technical documentation including compliance matrices, PBS / WBS, system overviews, and contributions to risk registers.
• Work with project / bid management and finance to ensure full alignment with scopes of work and costed schedules.
• Ensure proposals meet specific Space & Defence qualification and regulatory requirements.
• Represent the technical function during customer clarifications and negotiation phases.

What We’re Looking For

• Degree in RF Engineering, Electronics, Physics, or similar (Master’s / PhD a bonus).
• Deep experience in RF / microwave systems, technical product leadership, or bid ownership within Space or Defence.
• Strong understanding of RF subsystems such as amplifiers, filters, and integrated RF modules used in aerospace or secure communications.
• Knowledge of defence / space procurement processes, proposal formats, and bid governance.
• Experience operating across both technical and commercial domains in customer-facing environments.
• A hands-on approach to developing technical bid content—writing, reviewing, and refining complex solution descriptions and estimates.
• Familiarity with Space / Defence development cycles, MoD / ESA standards, and associated qualification pathways.

Essential Skills

• Exceptional technical writing and communication skills.
• Strong commercial awareness with strategic thinking.
• Highly collaborative and able to manage inputs from multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent organisation, accuracy, and deadline management.
• High level of attention to detail and commitment to compliance.

Desirable

• Understanding of UK / US export controls (ITAR, EAR, UK Export Control).
• Knowledge of software-defined or digitally enhanced RF systems.