Senior Antenna Engineer - Defence / Radar Systems

First Military Recruitment; Enfield; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

First Military Recruitment is seeking a Senior Antenna Engineer to lead antenna design, modelling, testing and support within a defence radar context. You will own complex antenna development from concept through manufacture and field support in a specialist RF environment.

The role focuses on microwave antenna design, arrays, and RF system integration with a strong emphasis on design-for-test and production processes. This is a full-time, permanent position in North London.

Qualifications

• Experience in antenna design and development at microwave frequencies.
• Knowledge of antenna theory, arrays, and printed antennas.
• Familiar with RF test equipment such as Spectrum Analysers and Vector Network Analysers.
• Experience within a production engineering environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead antenna research, design and development activities.
• Manage and improve existing antenna designs, including testing methodologies and technical documentation.
• Support product improvements and obsolescence management.
• Develop engineering requirements, specifications and verification plans.
• Provide technical support to Systems, Hardware Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, suppliers and customers.
• Support antenna and RF design activities, including production testing.
• Investigate manufacturing and technical issues, carrying out root cause and trend analysis.
• Ensure engineering procedures and quality standards are maintained throughout design and manufacture.
• Plan, estimate and manage antenna-related engineering work packages.
• Maintain accurate engineering records and technical documentation.

Skills

Antenna design

Microwave design

Printed/waveguide antennas

RF components

Antenna theory

RF test equipment

Design for test

Project leadership

Production engineering

Tools

Altair RF

MATLAB

Python

Job description

JMB89 - Senior Antenna Engineer (Defence / Radar Systems)

Location: North London

Salary: Dependent on experience

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Overview

First Military Recruitment are currently seeking a Senior Antenna Engineer on behalf of one of our clients.

The successful candidate will lead significant engineering work packages involving antenna design, modelling, development, testing and technical support, alongside contributing to wider radar systems analysis and RF engineering activities.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a specialist engineering environment working on advanced radar and RF technology, taking ownership of antenna development projects from initial design through to testing, manufacture and ongoing product support.

Our client is particularly interested in candidates with backgrounds in Defence, Radar, Aerospace or RF Engineering, including suitably experienced ex-military personnel with relevant technical expertise.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead antenna research, design and development activities.
• Manage and improve existing antenna designs, including testing methodologies and technical documentation.
• Support product improvements and obsolescence management.
• Develop engineering requirements, specifications and verification plans.
• Provide technical support to Systems, Hardware Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, suppliers and customers.
• Support antenna and RF design activities, including production testing.
• Investigate manufacturing and technical issues, carrying out root cause and trend analysis.
• Ensure engineering procedures and quality standards are maintained throughout design and manufacture.
• Plan, estimate and manage antenna-related engineering work packages.
• Maintain accurate engineering records and technical documentation.

Skills and Qualifications

• Proven experience in antenna design and development at microwave frequencies.
• Experience with printed and waveguide antenna design.
• Knowledge of antenna theory, array antennas, slotted arrays and printed antennas.
• Experience with RF component design or selection, including rotary joints, filters, splitters and combiners.
• Understanding of antenna system design and modelling software.
• Familiarity with RF test equipment, including Spectrum Analysers and Vector Network Analysers.
• Understanding of design for test and design for manufacture.
• Experience within a production engineering environment.
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to lead engineering projects and work collaboratively.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience within Defence, Radar or Aerospace engineering.
• Familiarity with Altair RF and antenna design software.
• Knowledge of radar systems and associated technologies.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python or AI-based engineering tools.
• Understanding of EMC and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with requirements management and systems engineering.

An excellent opportunity to take ownership of complex antenna engineering projects, contribute to advanced radar technology and work within a specialist engineering environment