RF Engineer
Location: Edinburgh
Working Pattern: 90 onsite
Contract Length: 6 months
IR35: Inside IR35
Rate: 65p/h PAYE (74.45p/h inc. holiday rate) OR 88.63p/h Umbrella
We seek an engineer who has worked in a military / defence environment / industry within the last 12 months
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior or Principal RF Engineer to support the design and development of advanced RF and microwave hardware within a leading defence technology environment.
The successful candidate will work across the full hardware lifecycle, from system concept and detailed design through prototyping, verification, integration, and production support. This role involves developing high-performance RF PCB and module designs while collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams to solve complex integration challenges.
Key Responsibilities
• Deliver RF and microwave hardware designs across the full product lifecycle.
• Develop multifunctional RF PCB and module designs using modern RF technologies.
• Capture requirements and perform detailed circuit design, simulation, and verification.
• Design and implement test prototypes and validation activities for RF hardware.
• Conduct design reviews and produce high-quality technical documentation.
• Prepare manufacturing data packs and support production and subcontract engineering activities.
• Collaborate with systems, electronics, and test engineers to resolve integration issues.
• Debug and diagnose issues in RF hardware and test equipment.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
• 5+ years’ experience in RF / microwave circuit design and analysis.
• Strong understanding of microwave engineering principles and electromagnetic theory.
• Experience using RF test equipment, including network analysers, spectrum analysers, and RF sources.
• Proficiency with RF design and simulation tools such as ADS, AWR, CST, HFSS, or Mentor.
• Ability to debug failing RF hardware or test systems.
Desirable
• Microwave PCB materials and RF layout techniques.
• RF subsystem or synthesiser design (DDS / PLL).
• GaAs / GaN MMIC applications.
• RF down-converter or digitiser design.
• Experience with EM simulation and modelling.
• Knowledge of RF lab measurement techniques including vector network analysis.