Principal Antenna Engineer

Our client is looking for a Principal Antenna Engineer to take on a senior technical leadership position within its antenna engineering function in Leominster.

This is a permanent position paying £68,000–£75,000 plus benefits. The role is predominantly site-based, with occasional remote working by exception. Some UK and international travel will be required.

Our client designs and manufactures high-performance antenna and RF products for defence, security and specialist commercial applications. Its technology is used in demanding environments where reliability, performance and safety are critical, from secure communications and challenging terrain through to aerospace and other high-reliability systems.

The Principal Antenna Engineer will report to the Chief RF Engineer and take technical responsibility for the development of antenna and RF products from initial concept through modelling, design, verification, qualification and manufacture.

Alongside remaining hands-on technically, you will act as deputy to the Chief RF Engineer, provide leadership across complex engineering programmes and act as delegated design authority when required.

What the role involves

You will design, develop and optimise antenna and RF solutions, using electromagnetic modelling and simulation to assess performance and guide design decisions.

The role will include:

• Leading antenna and RF product development from concept through to production
• Carrying out electromagnetic modelling, simulation and technical analysis using CST Microwave Studio or equivalent software
• Providing technical leadership across complex engineering projects
• Acting as deputy to the Chief RF Engineer and delegated design authority when required
• Translating customer requirements into practical and manufacturable engineering solutions
• Leading technical discussions with customers and supporting bids, proposals and presentations
• Planning and overseeing RF and antenna testing, validation and performance verification
• Ensuring products meet customer, regulatory and internal engineering requirements
• Resolving complex technical issues throughout the product lifecycle
• Supporting qualification testing, compliance and product assurance activities
• Improving engineering processes, design standards and technical governance
• Mentoring engineers and supporting knowledge sharing across the department
• Contributing to recruitment and the continued development of the engineering capability

The Principal Antenna Engineer will work closely with mechanical design, quality, manufacturing, operations, supply chain, commercial and project teams to ensure technical solutions can be successfully delivered.

What our client is looking for

You should be an experienced antenna or RF engineer with strong technical knowledge and the confidence to lead technical decisions across complex programmes.

You will need:

• A degree in RF, microwave, electronic engineering, physics or a related discipline
• Significant industrial experience in RF and antenna engineering
• Strong knowledge of electromagnetic theory, antenna design and RF measurement techniques
• Experience using CST Microwave Studio or equivalent electromagnetic simulation software
• Hands-on experience with RF testing, verification and validation
• Experience developing antenna or RF products from concept through to manufacture
• Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills
• Experience working directly with customers and responding to complex technical requirements
• Previous experience mentoring, leading or providing technical guidance to engineers
• The ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally
• Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance at SC level

A Master’s degree, PhD or Chartered Engineer status would be beneficial but is not essential. Experience within defence, aerospace or another high-reliability engineering environment would also be valuable, particularly where you have supported qualification testing, compliance, product assurance, technical proposals or customer presentations.

Why it is worth considering

This is an influential technical position for someone who wants to remain closely involved in antenna engineering while taking greater responsibility for technical strategy, engineering standards and the development of other engineers.

You will work on technically challenging antenna and RF programmes supporting defence, security and high-reliability applications. You will also have the opportunity to influence future products, improve engineering practices and work closely with senior technical leadership.

The benefits package includes:

• 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Additional annual leave based on length of service
• Company pension
• Company sick pay
• Life assurance
• Profit share scheme
• All-employee share plan
• EV salary sacrifice scheme

For more information on this Principal Antenna Engineer role, please reach out to Zac Taylor at IC Resources.