Senior or 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 and Bristol sites, this role offers hybrid working, with on‑site time flexing to meet programme and test requirements.

• Design and develop microwave and RF circuits operating to and beyond 20GHz, 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.
• Engage in design reviews and technical discussions with internal stakeholders, partners and customers.
• For Principal‑level engineers:
  • 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).

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

• 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
  • Deriving, analysing and reporting against design requirements
  • Working within a structured electronic design lifecycle
• 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.
• Experience interfacing with customers, suppliers or internal stakeholders on technical matters.
• Willingness and capability to support and mentor less‑experienced engineers (expected at Principal level).

• Experience with in 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.

• RF synthesise rs (DDS or PLL‑based)
• RF conditioning chains and 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 and MMIC design
• Circuits operating across multi‑octave bandwidths
• Model‑driven engineering (MATLAB / Simulink)
• Test automation (e.g. LabVIEW)

This role rewards technical depth, judgement and delivery.

• Senior engineers operate with significant autonomy, owning complex microwave designs and solving demanding RF problems within EW systems.
• As influence and experience grow, progression to Principal Microwave Engineer brings broader technical authority — shaping subsystem architectures, guiding design standards and mentoring others.
• Principal engineers play a visible role in technical strategy, design governance and cross‑programme problem solving.
• Progression is driven by technical credibility, system‑level understanding and trust earned through delivery, rather…