iO Associates
Principal RF Engineer
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Principal RF Engineer
Principal RF Engineer
A leading space technology organisation is hiring a Principal RF Engineer to take full technical ownership of an operational, customer-facing RF geolocation capability. This role is not a research-focused greenfield project—the system is live and operating today. The core goal is to deeply understand current performance limitations, iterate on real-world operational data, and deliver measurable improvements to enhance accuracy, reliability, and scalability.
About the Role
You will work on the precision estimation of RF emitter locations using Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Frequency Difference of Arrival (FDOA), and Angle of Arrival (AoA) measurements, collected from a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. Your responsibility extends from developing the mathematical foundations of the algorithms to owning their production implementation, with collaboration with software engineers and cross-functional stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
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Algorithm Ownership & Improvement
- Own and refine TDOA, FDOA, and AoA geolocation algorithms from their theoretical foundations all the way through to working prototypes.
- Prove through rigorous validation and testing how outputs scale to meet customer requirements.
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Performance Optimisation & Error Analysis
- Analyse live geolocation outputs, identify limiting sources of error, and iteratively refine artificial intelligence-driven improvements.
- Validate real-world data to isolate systematic and stochastic errors in geometry, calibration, and measurement assumptions.
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Calibration & Distributed Antenna Systems
- Design, build, and enhance calibration methodologies for:
- Timing offsets and drift
- Frequency stability and channel mismatches
- Geometric relationships and distributed antenna array alignment
- Design, build, and enhance calibration methodologies for:
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Physical System Modelling
- Model key error mechanisms affecting performance, including:
- Satellite clock drifts and DOI tracking challenges
- Propagation effects (ionospheric scintillation, tropospheric delays)
- Multipath interference and near-ground multipath
- Antenna element and calibration uncertainties
- Receiver thermal and electronic noise floor limitations
- Incorporate orbital mechanics, Doppler-induced frequency shifts, and LEO constellation geometry into estimation models.
- Model key error mechanisms affecting performance, including:
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Performance Analysis & Simulation
- Conduct statistical performance analysis of new models:
- Cramér-Rao Lower Bounds (CRLB) in highly dynamic environments
- Monte Carlo simulations under environmental and operational constraints
- Validation using real-world satellite measurements from deployed constellation hardware.
- Conduct statistical performance analysis of new models:
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Client-Facing Documentation
- Prepare rigorous, implementation-ready technical documentation, including white papers for customer-facing reviews.
- Work with stakeholders to propose operational trade studies linking algorithmic choices to cost, latency, and reliability.
Essential Requirements
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Education: MSc or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent specialization).
- Focus required in estimation theory, signal processing, or tracking, with explicit research or professional experience.
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Technical Depth:
- Deep fundamentals of estimation theory (Bayesian/Kalman variants), statistical signal processing, linear algebra, and probabilistic optimisation.
- Strong intuition for measurement theory, spatial filtering, and matrix-based solutions.
- Hands-on Python expertise for end-to-end prototyping, simulation, and real-world noise-aware validation (e.g., pyyaml, Numba, CuPy).
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Data-Driven Mindset:
- Ability to work directly with imperfect data: missing truth labels, noisy geometry, incomplete metadata.
- Experience with diagnosing performance gaps across natural sources of drift (e.g., onboard clock drift, CalibNet behaviour).
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Algorithm Review & Evolution:
- Proven ability to audit and iterate over existing codebases rather than performing full rewrites.
- Confidence to document design decisions and facilitate stakeholder insight into algorithmic constraints.
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Domain Knowledge:
- Foundational understanding of RF propagation properties, including differential DoA AoA differences and TDOA convergence nuances.
- Willingness to learn constellation-specific effects (ionale re-weighting, FDMA reseller management, Doppler rate bounds).
Preferred Background
(Note: This is a nice to have—candidates with proven downgrade-aware skills are encouraged to apply.)
- Direct experience with TDOA/FDOA/AoA principles or hybrid geolocation techniques.
- Exposure to ** sembra Surveillance/Intelligence or EW systems**.
- Domain experience with passive radar signal processing or GNSS intraperitoneal extensions.
- Calibration expertise in networked RF systems (e.g., phased arrays or gated beacon designs).
- Understanding of C++ (deeper dives into production codebases), with fast-moving integrated toolchains.
- Immunity to vector math or backwards game-aware post-processing regarding spaceborne dynamics, especially orbital mechanics and Doppler corrections.
Location & Work Pattern
- Location: UK (Glasgow area)
- Flexibility: Hybrid, preferably 3 days on-site (with room for debate)
Notes Regarding Security:
- Export Control Clearance: Access to restricted technology may be required—scaling support is available where applicable.
- Background Checks: Standard procedures apply pre-onboarding.
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