RF Hardware Engineer

• Design RF chains from 400 MHz to 6 GHz including LNA/PA stages, matching networks, filters, switches and transceiver integration.
• Perform RF PCB layout in KiCad with controlled-impedance stackups and own the RF portion of mixed RF/digital boards.
• Simulate and verify with VNA, spectrum analyser and signal generator; tune matching and measure sensitivity, EVM, spurious emissions and harmonics.
• Design and characterise antennas and antenna-tracking front-ends; support link-budget and range analysis.
• Work with firmware on radio control, calibration and frequency-hopping implementation; support SDR test benches using GNU Radio.
• Produce RF design-review packages, test reports and regulatory/EMC documentation.
• Use AI/LLM tools daily for schematic and code generation, datasheet analysis, test-plan drafting and design-review preparation, with verification against datasheets, standards and measurements.
• Maintain structured, versioned engineering documentation using Git, issue trackers and design-review packages.

Experience

• 35 years hands-on product development (design/build/ship; not support, services, or QA-only)

Key Skills

• 3+ years RF hardware design with at least one radio or GNSS product that reached field use.
• Hands-on with VNA, spectrum analyser and signal generator; able to tune a matching network on the bench.
• Competent RF PCB layout including microstrip/CPW, via stitching and grounding in KiCad or Altium.
• Working embedded C or Python to configure transceivers and automate RF tests.
• Can read a schematic, flash and debug a microcontroller, and write a Python utility script.
• Personally shipped at least one hardware/firmware product or field prototype to a real user.
• Fluent with Git, issue trackers and structured written design documentation.
• Willing to work on defence and dual-use programmes and travel for field trials.
• Good to have: MANET/mesh radios, FHSS or anti-jam GNSS, ADS/AWR/HFSS/openEMS, SDR platforms and GNU Radio, EMI/EMC and MIL-STD-461 exposure.