Principal Microwave Engineer

• →Design and develop microwave and RF circuits operating to and beyond 20 GHz, supporting advanced EW self‑protection systems.
• →Contribute to the development of complex RF subsystems, from early concept and requirements derivation through detailed design, integration and test.
• →Perform microwave simulation, modelling and optimisation using industry‑standard EM and circuit tools.
• →Translate system‑level and RF requirements into robust, manufacturable microwave designs.
• →Support hands‑on RF test, measurement and debug using world‑class laboratory facilities.
• →Solve technically challenging problems across the RF chain, balancing performance, power, reliability and manufacturability.
• →Contribute to and be supported by an Integrated Project Team.
• →Propose and report on work packages (cost, schedule and technical progress).
• →Engage in design reviews and technical discussions with internal stakeholders, partners and customers.
• →Provide technical leadership and mentoring to early‑career and developing engineers
• →Influence design approaches, tools and best practice across microwave teams
• →Where required, support technical reviews across Leonardo UK sites or customer locations (UK and occasional overseas travel).

This role is aimed at engineers with deep microwave or RF expertise who are comfortable operating with a high degree of technical autonomy.

• Proven experience designing RF / microwave circuitry or subsystems in complex electronic systems.
• Strong understanding of microwave theory, high‑frequency effects and practical implementation.
• Experience using one or more of:
  • Keysight ADS
  • Microwave Office
  • CST Microwave Studio
  • Ansys HFSS
  • Siemens EDA / Mentor tools
• Practical experience with RF and microwave layout techniques.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with RF test equipment, such as network analysers, spectrum analysers and RF sources.
• Proven ability to debug failing hardware or test setups.
• Analysing results and reporting against derived design requirements.
• Experience interfacing with customers, suppliers or internal stakeholders on technical matters.
• Experience working within a structured electronic design lifecycle under configuration control.
• Teamworking, including effective communication skills, progress reporting and planning of one’s activities in pursuit of the team’s goals.
• Willingness and capability to support and mentor less‑experienced engineers.

• Definition of work packages (cost, schedule, technical milestones) e.g. to support estimates or to kick-off new work.
• Experience within the defence or aerospace sector.
• Background in regulated or high‑reliability industries.
• HNC/HND or degree‑level knowledge in Electronic Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics or similar — or equivalent practical experience.

• RF synthesisers (DDS or PLL‑based)
• Mixers
• Frequency conversion
• Passive microwave structures (e.g. filters)
• High‑power amplifiers or switches
• Low phase‑noise design and measurement
• RF chain analysis and budgeting
• RF PCB design
• MMICs
• Antennas
• Circuits operating across multi‑octave bandwidths
• Model‑driven engineering (MATLAB / Simulink)
• Test automation (e.g. LabVIEW)

This role rewards technical depth, judgement and delivery.

• Principal engineers have a broad technical authority. They play a visible role in technical strategy, design governance and cross‑programme problem solving, shaping subsystem architectures, guiding design standards and mentoring others.
• As influence continues to grow, and all significant stages of electronics development life cycle are experienced, progression to Lead Engineer level brings opportunities for greater authority in one of three roles:
  • Project Engineering Lead (including people leadership),
  • Technical Specialist
  • Design Authority.
• Progression is driven by work package delivery, technical credibility, product and system‑level understanding and trust earned through delivery, rather than formal hierarchy.

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