RF Communications Product Development Lead

RF Communications Product Development Lead

• Full-time
• Contract Type:
  Permanent
• Region:
  South East UK

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy supporting some of the world's most ambitious aerospace and defence programmes. We are seeking an experienced RF Communications Product Development Lead to join a high-profile satellite mission, taking ownership of the development and delivery of critical communications subsystem products throughout the full programme lifecycle.

• On Site: 3x a week
• Experience Level: Senior

• Lead the end-to-end development and delivery of spacecraft RF Communications products, ensuring performance, quality, cost and schedule objectives are achieved.
• Act as the technical and programme focal point for communications subsystem equipment, coordinating engineering teams, suppliers and stakeholders throughout the product lifecycle.
• Manage product development activities, including planning, risk management, progress reporting and review milestones.
• Drive technical compliance with customer requirements, programme needs and industry standards.
• Lead key design, qualification, manufacturing and test reviews, ensuring successful delivery of all associated documentation and data packages.
• Oversee RF communications analyses, including link budgets, communications performance assessments and subsystem requirements management.
• Manage supplier relationships, monitoring performance, delivery schedules, quality standards and contractual commitments.
• Support product assurance activities, including non-conformance management, acceptance processes and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Control product cost, risk and change management activities, ensuring effective programme execution and governance.
• Contribute to the definition, verification and validation of communications subsystem solutions within a complex spacecraft environment.

• Proven experience in product development, systems engineering or project engineering within the Space, Aerospace, Defence or other highly regulated industries
  .
• Strong understanding of RF Communications systems
  , including communications equipment, antennas and subsystem integration.
• Experience managing the full product lifecycle, from requirements definition through design, qualification, testing and delivery.
• Demonstrable experience leading suppliers and coordinating cross-functional engineering teams.
• Knowledge of engineering reviews and development milestones (e.g. PDR, CDR, qualification and test reviews).
• Experience in technical risk management, schedule management and cost control.
• Strong understanding of requirements management, verification and validation processes.
• Ability to review and assess technical documentation, test results and engineering deliverables.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary programme environment.

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering
  , or
  equivalent
  military experience
  .
• Experience working on satellite, spacecraft or space systems programmes
  .
• Knowledge of spacecraft communications architectures and RF subsystem design.
• Experience performing or reviewing RF Link Budget Analysis
  , Data Volume Analysis and Electromagnetic Compatibility/E-Field assessments.
• Understanding of antenna technologies, including High Gain, Medium Gain and Low Gain Antenna systems.
• Familiarity with Product Assurance, APQP, Non-Conformance…