Apprentice, Spectrum Engineer Officer

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Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Wednesday 22 July, and therefore we advise getting your application in by no later than midnight on Tuesday 21 July.

This is a field‑based role covering the South of England. We welcome applications from candidates based across the region, including (but not limited to) Essex, Suffolk, Sussex, Berkshire, Hampshire, South London, Brighton and surrounding areas. Regular travel is an essential part of the role. The successful candidate will be expected to attend our Baldock office approximately once per month for team meetings, training and development activities, as well as Birmingham City University for the in‑person elements of their apprenticeship programme.

Ofcom’s Spectrum Assurance Team is a fundamental part of Spectrum Group’s operational team. The aim is to keep the spectrum free from interference and manage the spectrum appropriately.

Spectrum is a vital resource used by almost everyone, consumers as well as businesses and it touches everyone’s life every day. The radio spectrum connects our mobiles, wireless headphones, tablets and computers. It enables our key fobs to unlock our cars, the Met Office to forecast the weather, satellites to measure global warming, concerts and shows to be seen and heard.

TV and radio broadcasting would not exist without it. Without access to spectrum police, fire, ambulance, coastguard and air traffic control would not be able to communicate – it’s that important.

Looking for an opportunity to apply your radio engineering skills while playing a vital role in managing the UK’s civil radio spectrum?

As an Apprentice Spectrum Engineering Officer, you will play a vital role in delivering high‑quality spectrum assurance, supporting one of Ofcom’s key statutory duties—ensuring the effective management and protection of the UK’s civil radio spectrum. This role combines technical expertise, problem‑solving, and investigative work to identify and resolve issues affecting spectrum users.

As part of the apprenticeship, you will also complete a fully funded Broadcast and Media Systems Engineer (Integrated Degree Apprenticeship) BEng (Hons) from Birmingham City University.

In this unique engineering and regulatory role, you will collaborate with a wide range of Ofcom’s radio and telecoms stakeholders to investigate and resolve harmful interference cases. These issues can disrupt critical safety‑of‑life systems, such as aircraft radio communications and navigation, as well as essential everyday services like mobile networks.

You will be supported by a highly specialised and experienced Ofcom team and gain hands‑on experience using state‑of‑the‑art radio measurement equipment, including real‑time spectrum analysis tools, backed by relevant regulatory legislation.

Sounds challenging? Don’t worry! You will receive comprehensive training to develop the skills needed for this exciting and rewarding role.

As an Apprentice Spectrum Engineering Officer (ASEO), you will play a vital role in ensuring the UK’s radio spectrum remains free from interference and unlicensed use. You will receive full training to develop the technical and regulatory skills needed to protect businesses, consumers, and critical communication services.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Investigating and resolving interference cases – Working on cases passed from the Spectrum Management Centre, locating sources of interference, and ensuring timely resolution.

• Providing advice and enforcement support – Offering guidance to spectrum users and, when necessary, taking enforcement action to maintain compliance with regulations.

• Proactively monitoring and investigating spectrum use – Identifying and addressing instances of unlicensed or improper use of the radio spectrum to keep UK businesses and consumers "on the air."

• Managing the radio spectrum within your region – Conducting fieldwork to monitor, inspect, and investigate spectrum use, ensuring services operate legally…