Principal RF Engineer HWIL / RF Test & Simulation
Stevenage | £65‑£75 per hour | Long‑term contract
We are supporting a leading UK defence organisation looking to bring in a Principal RF Engineer to join their specialist Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop (HWIL) team. This is a hands‑on, lab‑based role working with advanced RF systems, real‑time simulation environments, and live hardware integration supporting some of the most complex missile test programmes in the UK.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop and test RF systems within HWIL environments
- Integrate RF hardware into real‑time simulation platforms
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex system/interface issues
- Carry out system‑level performance analysis and optimisation
- Work closely with software, electronics and systems teams
- Support validation of missile system behaviour in controlled test environments
Essential Qualifications
- Strong background in RF design, development & test
- Experience working with RF test equipment (e.g. spectrum analysers, VNAs)
- Strong system integration, debugging & troubleshooting experience
- Experience working in complex or real‑time environments
Desirable Qualifications
- Linux experience
- C++ knowledge
- Microcontrollers within RF environments (e.g. Raspberry Pi)
Benefits
- Work in a true lab‑based engineering environment with access to cutting‑edge equipment
- Opportunity to contribute to full‑system testing (HWIL) as close as it gets to live firing
- Join a high‑performing, specialist team working on complex defence programmes
Security Clearance
British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship
Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by our clients Security Team.
