CleanTech Talent
Principal Radio Frequency Engineer
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Principal RF Engineer
UK - Remote
We are proud to be supporting a fast-growing technology company at the forefront of satellite and cloud infrastructure in their search for a Principal RF Engineer. Due to the sensitive nature of this engagement, the client's name will be shared with candidates at the shortlisting stage.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is an opportunity to take ownership of the mathematical and algorithmic foundations behind one of the few operational commercial space-based RF geolocation systems currently in active use.
- Working with real satellite data from a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites, you will develop, validate and continually improve the algorithms used to locate RF emitters using Time Difference of Arrival, Frequency Difference of Arrival, and Angle of Arrival measurements.
This is not a pure research position. You'll be working on a production system delivering real-world results to customers, analysing performance, identifying sources of error, refining estimation algorithms and validating improvements using real operational data.
You'll collaborate closely with software engineers responsible for production implementation while owning the scientific and algorithmic direction of the platform.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
RF Geolocation Algorithms
- Own and improve TDOA, FDOA and AoA estimation algorithms
- Develop mathematical models from first principles through to validated software prototypes
- Evaluate algorithm performance using real operational satellite data
- Identify systematic errors and continually improve geolocation accuracy
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Signal Processing & Estimation
- Develop estimation techniques using statistical signal processing
- Model propagation effects, timing uncertainty, Doppler dynamics and receiver noise
- Incorporate orbital mechanics into geolocation models
- Perform Monte Carlo simulations and theoretical performance analysis
Calibration & Performance
- Develop calibration methods across timing, frequency and antenna systems
- Analyse real-world outputs against known emitter locations
- Investigate operational anomalies and determine root causes
- Support continuous improvement through iterative algorithm development
Technical Leadership
- Translate validated algorithms into production-ready specifications
- Review software implementations for mathematical correctness
- Document algorithms and performance for technical and defence stakeholders
- Support the introduction of new sensing capabilities and future mission requirements
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We're looking for an engineer or scientist with exceptional mathematical capability and a passion for solving highly complex RF geolocation problems.
Essential Experience
- MSc or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline
- Strong background in estimation theory, optimisation, probability and statistical signal processing
- Excellent Python programming skills for simulation, analysis and algorithm development
- Experience developing or improving estimation algorithms using real-world datasets
- Strong understanding of RF propagation and signal processing principles
- Knowledge of orbital mechanics and satellite geometry
- Ability to understand, critique and improve complex existing algorithmic codebases
- Comfort working with imperfect operational datasets and iterative engineering improvements
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Desirable Experience
- Hands-on experience with TDOA, FDOA or AoA geolocation
- SIGINT, Electronic Warfare or passive radar systems
- GNSS signal processing
- SAR or InSAR processing
- Calibration of distributed RF sensing systems
- Experience reviewing or working with C++ production code
- Space, aerospace or defence experience
- LEO satellite constellations or phased array antenna systems
WHY THIS ROLE STANDS OUT
- Work on one of the world's few operational commercial satellite RF geolocation platforms
- Solve genuinely challenging estimation and signal processing problems using real satellite data
- Own the scientific direction of mission-critical algorithms used by real customers
- Collaborate with world-class engineers across software, embedded systems and RF
- Join a highly technical team operating at the intersection of space, mathematics and advanced signal processing
- Shape the future evolution of next-generation satellite geolocation capabilities
APPLY VIA CLEANTECH TALENT
This role is being managed exclusively by CleanTech Talent on behalf of our client. If you have a background in RF geolocation, estimation theory, signal processing or satellite systems and are looking to work on genuinely cutting-edge technology, we'd love to hear from you.
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