Principal RF Engineer HWIL

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.

• 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

• 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

• Linux experience
• C++ knowledge
• Microcontrollers within RF environments (e.g. Raspberry Pi)

• 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

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.