Job Description
R&D Engineer
Basildon
The Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced engineer to join a forward-thinking product development team working at the intersection of RF technology and secure payment solutions.
This position plays a critical role in the innovation and delivery of next-generation contactless products, with a particular focus on near-field communication and smartcard-based systems used within the payments ecosystem.
You will work closely with senior leadership in engineering, contributing to the full product lifecycle — from concept through to validation — in a highly technical, hands-on environment.
Role Responsibilities
* Lead the development of contactless hardware solutions for use in secure transaction environments
* Design, build, and refine RF-based components, including antenna structures and supporting circuitry
* Take ownership of prototyping activities, driving continuous improvements through iterative development
* Conduct detailed testing and analysis to ensure product performance meets industry and regulatory requirements
* Evaluate and interpret technical standards relevant to contactless technologies and payment schemes
* Support integration and compatibility with terminal infrastructure and external systems
* Perform a wide range of lab-based testing, including RF characterisation and physical product validation
Experience & Background
Core Requirements
* Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline such as Electronic Engineering, Applied Physics, or similar
* Strong grounding in analogue and RF electronics
* Practical experience working with contactless or wireless technologies
* Confident using specialist RF measurement tools (e.g. network analysers or similar equipment)
* Experience working with engineering design tools for schematics and mechanical layouts
* Strong analytical mindset with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical challenges
* High level of accuracy and attention to detail in both design and testing environments
Nice to Have
* Experience developing or optimising antenna solutions for high-frequency applications
* Exposure to NFC or contactless payment technologies
* Familiarity with photonics or laser-based processes
* Previous involvement in regulated or standards-driven product environments