Leonardo
Principal RF Engineer
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Job Description
Salary: 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
We are looking for a Principal RF Engineer to join Leonardo in Edinburgh. Leonardo is a world-class defence technology company. We develop cutting-edge radars as well as maritime and airborne surveillance systems. We are also investors in innovation, undertaking all our own research to fuel our future products. This role sits within the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) Multifunction RF System (MRFS) team, where you will join our growing Electronics team to contribute to the delivery of a key Technology Demonstrator Programme (TDP), paving the way for the next generation of fire control radar.
Hybrid working - in this role it is possible to work from home some of the time, but the nature of the work and security requirements mean that you should expect to be mostly working on site.
What You’ll Do As a Principal RF Engineer
This is an exciting opportunity for you as an engineer to bring your skillset and knowledge into our working environment. You will be involved in developing a range of multifunctional RF, PCB, and Module designs using the latest technologies available and contribute to the definition and execution of a testing and integration phase of a key TDP to enable GCAP.
As an RF/Microwave engineer, you will be responsible for:
- Full hardware lifecycle for our products from system concept, through detailed design and prototyping, test and verification, system integration, and support in production.
- Creating high quality and robust designs, conducting design reviews for your design, fully documenting and recording your work products, keeping them under configuration management, and providing plans and progress reports.
- Developing a range of multifunctional RF PCB and Module designs using the latest technologies available and enhancing your understanding of key design and manufacture processes.
- Designing to test, creating test prototypes for design validation, verification of development models, and support for production test.
- Preparing robust manufacturing data packs and providing technical support to sub-contracts and engineering interface with manufacturing.
- Working closely with Systems, Test, and Electronics engineers, you will be solving real integration problems on advanced systems.
- Coach and mentor junior team members to support the development of a high-performance engineering team in preparation for the delivery of the demands of the GCAP programme.
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What You’ll Bring
You will ideally have experience in a number of the following areas:
- RF microwave sub-system design
- RF system test and integration
- Lab measurements such as signal generation, spectrum analysis, and vector network analysis
- Microwave design tools
- GaAs/GaN MMIC design and application
- Design of passive microwave structures
- Low phase noise design and measurement
- Microwave component selection
- Technical report writing
- Design reviews and lifecycle management
This role requires you to have:
- Degree qualified in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (preferable) or related science (e.g., Physics).
- Proven experience (5+ years) in RF circuit design and analysis and a strong understanding of microwave techniques and electromagnetic theory.
- Ability to work effectively and lead in a collaborative team environment.
Personal attributes and values are just as important to us as technical ability, so we are looking for engineers with a willingness to learn, progress, and develop through our devoted technical career path. If you are passionate about what you do and can deliver a pragmatic approach to problem-solving, we would like to hear from you.
Security Clearance
Please note that to apply for this opportunity, you must be eligible for UK security clearance. Normally, this is to the level of Security Check (typically known as “SC”) for our business, which includes having a minimum of 5 years permanent residency in the UK. For more information and guidance, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels.
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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 program.
- 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.
Be part of something bigger - apply now!
Primary Location
GB - Edinburgh
Contract Type
Permanent
Hybrid Working
Hybrid
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