Senior RF Design Engineer

Lynx Recruitment Ltd; Northampton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense technology firm is looking for a Senior RF Design Engineer to join their engineering team in Northampton. The role involves hands-on RF circuit design, including amplifiers, filters, and system architecture, within a dynamic environment. Candidates should have over 5 years of RF design experience, proficiency with Altium, and familiarity with RF test equipment. The position offers a competitive salary and a hybrid work model, enhancing work-life balance.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Hybrid Working

Qualifications

• 5+ years of proven RF circuit design experience.
• Experience with high-power RF amplifier design using GaN or LDMOS technology.
• Strong knowledge of RF filter design from concept to implementation.

Responsibilities

• Design high-power wideband RF amplifiers and develop RF filters.
• Lead and contribute to design reviews and mentor junior engineers.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Skills

RF circuit design

High-power RF amplifier design

PCB design software (Altium)

RF simulation tools

Analog and digital electronics knowledge

Experience with RF test equipment

Education

Degree in Engineering or equivalent work experience

Tools

Altium Designer

AWR Microwave Office

Ansys HFSS

Job description

Senior RF Design Engineer

Wappenham, Northamptonshire | Hybrid Working (3 days onsite, 2 WFH) | Competitive Salary + Benefits

About My Client

My client is a globally recognized UK defense technology leader with 45+ years of innovation in advanced communications systems, long-range data links, and mission-critical RF solutions. Their systems support military and security operations in over 100 countries worldwide.

They're expanding their engineering team to develop next-generation products for defense, aerospace, and battlespace communications markets.

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity for a Senior RF Design Engineer to join a small, dynamic team designing world-class RF systems. You'll own full-lifecycle RF circuit design—from architecture and simulation through PCB development, testing, and production support.

This is hands-on, technical RF engineering on cutting-edge defense technologies in a fast-paced but rewarding environment.

Key Responsibilities

• RF Circuit Design:
  • Design high-power wideband RF amplifiers (up to 200W) using GaN/LDMOS technology
  • Develop RF filters, LNAs, upconverters, downconverters, and RF frontends
  • Transmitter/receiver circuit design and antenna development
  • RF system architecture and electromagnetic simulation
  • PCB schematic capture, layout, and component creation using Altium Designer
• Technical Leadership:
  • Lead and contribute to design reviews (PDR, IDR, CDR)
  • Verify designs against specifications
  • Troubleshoot hardware/system issues across the business
  • Mentor junior engineers assigned to your projects
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams
  • Manage external design partners when required
  • Support manufacturing and production as needed

Essential Requirements

• Must Have (5+ years minimum):
  • Proven RF circuit design experience (not just layout or systems-level work)
  • High-power RF amplifier design using GaN, LDMOS, or similar technologies
  • RF filter design from concept to implementation
  • Transmitter/receiver circuit design experience
  • LNA, upconverter, downconverter design expertise
  • Proficiency with PCB design software (Altium preferred)
  • Experience with RF simulation tools (AWR Microwave Office, Ansys HFSS, or similar)
  • Strong analog and digital electronics knowledge
  • Hands-on experience with RF test equipment (VNAs, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes)
  • British Citizen or ability to obtain SC security clearance
  • Degree in Engineering or equivalent work experience