Senior 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 Microwave Engineer or Senior Microwave Engineer, you’ll help develop and deliver the microwave subsystems that enable these platforms to detect, respond and survive. Based primarily at our Luton site, this role offers hybrid working, with on‑site time flexing to meet programme and test requirements.

What you’ll doWhat you will do as a Microwave Engineer / Senior Microwave Engineer working on EW programmes:

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 prototyping through detailed design, integration and test.

Perform microwave simulation, modelling and optimisation using industry‑standard EM and circuit tools.

Perform hands‑on RF test, measurement and debug using world‑class laboratory facilities.

Propose changes / updates as applicable.

Contribute to and be supported by an Integrated Project Team.

Engage in design reviews and technical discussions with internal stakeholders, partners and  performing the above, solve technically challenging problems across the RF chain, balancing performance, power, reliability and manufacturability.

What you’ll bring

This role is aimed at engineers with microwave or RF expertise who are comfortable operating with some technical autonomy.

Essential experience:

Proven experience working with RF / microwave circuitry in electronic systems.

Understanding of microwave theory, high‑frequency effects and practical implementation including layout.

Experience using one or more of:

Keysight ADSMicrowave OfficeCST Microwave Studio Ansys HFSSSiemens EDA / Mentor tools

Hands‑on experience with RF test equipment, such as network analysers, spectrum analysers and RF sources.

Ability to debug failing hardware or test setups.

Practical experience analysing results and reporting against design requirements.

Experience interfacing with customers, suppliers or internal stakeholders on technical matters.

Team working: effective communication, undertaking activities in pursuit of the team’s goals and reporting on progress of these.

Willingness to support and mentor less‑experienced early careers engineers.

Valuable (but not essential):

Experience working within a structured electronic design lifecycle.

Exposure to reporting on cost and schedule as well as technical progress.

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.

Experience in one or more of the following is advantageous:

RF and microwave layout techniquesRF synthesise rs (DDS or PLL‑based)
Mixers Frequency conversion

Passive microwave structures (e.g. filters)
High‑power amplifiers or switches

Low phase‑noise design and measurementRF chain analysis and budgetingRF PCB designMMICs Antennas High  speed digital circuitry

Circuits operating across multi‑octave bandwidths

Model‑driven engineering (MATLAB / Simulink)
Test automation (e.g. LabVIEW)
How this role grows with youThis 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,…