Senior or Principal MMIC Engineer

Leonardo; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time to Recharge

Pension scheme

Mental health support

Bonus scheme

Online learning

Referral program

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Leonardo UK is seeking Senior/Principal Microwave Engineers to join our Edinburgh and Newcastle teams within the radar hardware division. You will design MMICs using GaN or GaAs, perform RF circuit design including high power amplifiers and low noise amplifiers, and collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated radar solutions.

We value hands-on RF measurement, manufacturing data packs, and mentoring newer engineers.

Qualifications

• First or second degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (preferable) or related science (e.g. Physics)
• Proven experience (3+ years) in MMIC circuit design and a strong understanding of microwave techniques and electromagnetic theory
• Proficiency in commercial RF analysis/simulation tools (Keysight ADS, AWR Microwave Office, CST Microwave Studio)
• Hands-on RF & Microwave measurement techniques (VNA, Spectrum Analysis)
• Awareness of requirements management (IBM Doors)

Responsibilities

• Create high quality and robust MMIC designs using GaN or GaAs
• Perform circuit design including HPA, LNA, attenuators, phase shifters, switches, oscillators
• Prepare manufacturing data packs and support subcontractors and external foundries
• Ensure design reviews are planned, executed and completed successfully
• Conduct RF on-wafer and chip-on-board testing and verification
• Collaborate with mechanical, systems and manufacturing teams for seamless integration
• Mentor early career engineers and contribute to technical reviews and design standards

Skills

MMIC circuit design

RF circuit design

Microwave theory

Troubleshooting

Education

Electrical & Electronic Engineering (BSc/BEng/MEng/MSc/PhD)

Tools

Keysight ADS

AWR Microwave Office

CST Microwave Studio

Vector Network Analysis

Spectrum Analysis

IBM Doors

Job description

Job Description

Salary: Senior: £45, 200 to £61,950 / Principal: £53,300 to £71,400

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Your impact

At Leonardo, you won’t just be working on radar systems — you’ll be helping to define what comes next. Join a team at the forefront of phased array radar technology, where innovation, expertise and ambition come together to shape capabilities that matter. We’re seeking talented, driven and experienced Senior/Principal Microwave Engineers to become part of our growing hardware engineering community within our world‑class radar division. Based at our Edinburgh site, you’ll collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, turning cutting‑edge ideas into real‑world solutions.

You Will

• Create high quality and robust MMIC designs using Gallium Nitride (GaN) or Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) semiconductor technologies.
• Perform circuit design including High Power Amplifiers, Low Noise Amplifiers, Attenuators, Phase Shifters, Switches, Oscillators etc.
• Prepare robust manufacturing data packs and provide technical support to sub-contracts and engineering interface with external foundries.
• Ensure design reviews are planned, executed and completed successfully.
• Conduct RF on wafer and “chip on board” testing of your designs including debugging, and performance verification to ensure the requirements are met.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams – mechanical, systems, test and manufacture - to ensure seamless integration of your MMIC designs into our larger systems.
• Mentor early career engineers and contribute to technical reviews and design standards.

What You’ll Bring

To excel in this role, you’ll bring a strong command of RF circuit design, microwave engineering, and electromagnetic theory, paired with the problem‑solving mindset and attention to detail needed to tackle complex technical challenges. A curiosity for emerging technologies, enthusiasm for the defence and space sectors, and adaptability to new methods and tools will also help you thrive as part of our team.

• Qualifications: first or second degree (BSc, BEng, MEng, MSc, PhD, EngD) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (preferable) or related science (e.g. Physics)
• Proven experience (3 years +) in MMIC circuit design and a strong understanding of microwave techniques and electromagnetic theory.
• Proficiency in using commercial software tools for RF analysis /simulation such as Keysight ADS, AWR Microwave Office & CST Microwave Studio
• Hands-on experience in RF & Microwave measurement techniques such as Vector Network Analysis, Spectrum Analysis etc.
• Awareness of requirements management, ideally using tools such as IBM Doors.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Primary Location

GB - Edinburgh

Additional Locations

GB - Newcastle

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid