Principal Microwave Engineer

Job Description:

How do you design microwave electronics that still perform when speed, power and survivability really matter?
At Leonardo, our Electronic Warfare self‑protection systems are deployed across fast jet, UAV, land and naval platforms — operating in some of the most demanding RF environments in the world. As a Senior or Principal Microwave Engineer, you’ll help design and deliver the microwave subsystems that enable these platforms to detect, respond and survive. Based primarily at our Luton or Bristol sites, this role offers hybrid working, with on‑site time flexing to meet programme and test requirements.

What you will do as a Principal Microwave Engineer working on EW programmes:

• Design and develop microwave and RF circuits operating to and beyond 20 GHz, supporting advanced EW self‑protection systems.
• Contribute to the development of complex RF subsystems, from early concept and requirements derivation through detailed design, integration and test.
• Perform microwave simulation, modelling and optimisation using industry‑standard EM and circuit tools.
• Translate system‑level and RF requirements into robust, manufacturable microwave designs.
• Support hands‑on RF test, measurement and debug using world‑class laboratory facilities.
• Solve technically challenging problems across the RF chain, balancing performance, power, reliability and manufacturability.
• Contribute to and be supported by an Integrated Project Team.
• Propose and report on work packages (cost, schedule and technical progress).
• Engage in design reviews and technical discussions with internal stakeholders, partners and customers.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to early‑career and developing engineers
• Influence design approaches, tools and best practice across microwave teams
• Where required, support technical reviews across Leonardo UK sites or customer locations (UK and occasional overseas travel).

What you’ll bring

This role is aimed at engineers with deep microwave or RF expertise who are comfortable operating with a high degree of technical autonomy.

Essential experience:

• Proven experience designing RF / microwave circuitry or subsystems in complex electronic systems.
• Strong understanding of microwave theory, high‑frequency effects and practical implementation.
• Experience using one or more of:
  • Keysight ADS
  • Microwave Office
  • CST Microwave Studio
  • Ansys HFSS
  • Siemens EDA / Mentor tools
• Practical experience with RF and microwave layout techniques.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with RF test equipment, such as network analysers, spectrum analysers and RF sources.
• Proven ability to debug failing hardware or test setups.
• Analysing results and reporting against derived design requirements.
• Experience interfacing with customers, suppliers or internal stakeholders on technical matters.
• Experience working within a structured electronic design lifecycle under configuration control.
• Teamworking, including effective communication skills, progress reporting and planning of one’s activities in pursuit of the team’s goals.
• Willingness and capability to support and mentor less‑experienced engineers.

Valuable (but not essential):

• Definition of work packages (cost, schedule, technical milestones) e.g. to support estimates or to kick-off new work.
• Experience within the defence or aerospace sector.
• Background in regulated or high‑reliability industries.
• HNC/HND or degree‑level knowledge in Electronic Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics or similar — or equivalent practical experience.

Experience in some of the following is advantageous:

• RF synthesisers (DDS or PLL‑based)
• Mixers
• Frequency conversion
• Passive microwave structures (e.g. filters)
• High‑power amplifiers or switches
• Low phase‑noise design and measurement
• RF chain analysis and budgeting
• RF PCB design
• MMICs
• Antennas
• Circuits operating across multi‑octave bandwidths
• Model‑driven engineering (MATLAB / Simulink)
• Test automation (e.g. LabVIEW)

How this role grows with you

This role rewards technical depth, judgement and delivery.

• Principal engineers have a broad technical authority. They play a visible role in technical strategy, design governance and cross‑programme problem solving, shaping subsystem architectures, guiding design standards and mentoring others.
• As influence continues to grow, and all significant stages of electronics development life cycle are experienced, progression to Lead Engineer level brings opportunities for greater authority in one of three roles:
  • Project Engineering Lead (including people leadership),
  • Technical Specialist
  • Design Authority.
• Progression is driven by work package delivery, technical credibility, product and system‑level understanding and trust earned through delivery, rather than formal hierarchy.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

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 programme.
• 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.

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.

Where this vacancy is being recruited across more than one grade, the successful candidate will be appointed to a specific assessed grade, and the applicable salary range will be that associated with the grade of appointment.

Leonardo offers an additional allowances for some roles – for more information please contact ukcareers@leonardo.com

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!

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Primary Location:

GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid