RF Design Engineer

Title: RF Designer

Salary: Circa £65,000 depending on experience

Location: Stevenage (relocation package may be offered)

Working arrangement: Hybrid: 3-4 days on-site, rest remote, full-time or part-time flexible

Security clearance: British Citizen or dual UK national with British citizenship, BPSS checks required

• Company bonus up to £2,500 (performance based)
• Pension: up to 14% employer + employee contribution
• Paid overtime opportunities
• Flexi leave: up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working arrangements welcomed
• Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 weeks maternity, adoption, shared. Enhancements for paternity, neonatal, fertility etc
• Facilities: subsidised meals, free parking, etc.

We are seeking an RF Design Engineer with proven practical design experience for cutting‑edge defence products. The role focuses on research, design, testing of RF technology for complex weapons systems, including rapid prototyping and modifications.

As an RF Design Engineer you will:

• Design, test and validate RF circuits across 30 MHz‑30 GHz (LNA, HPA, filters, oscillators, modulators)
• Design for harsh environments (EMC, vibration, thermal)
• Perform design proving tests in the onsite laboratory
• Use RF test equipment (Spectrum analyser, Power meter, VNA) and maintain soldering/repair skills
• Integrate digital, analogue, power supply design with RF
• Utilise RF design tools (Microwave Office, Layout) and collaborate on manufacturing design
• Write clear reports, present findings to team and customers

• Proven practical RF component‑level design & testing experience
• Experience in harsh‑environment RF design
• Strong practical soldering and fault‑finding skills
• Hands‑on test equipment:
  Spectrum analyser, VNA, Power meter
• Good digital, analogue, power supply design knowledge
• Experience with RF design tools (Microwave Office) and layout
• Manufacturing techniques awareness (design for manufacture & test)
• Excellent communication, presentation and report writing skills

MBDA is a leading defence organisation committed to supporting the Armed Forces. We value gender equality, pride, ethnic diversity, neurodiversity, disability inclusion and more. We encourage open dialogue throughout the recruitment process.

Follow us on Linked In, X, Instagram and Glassdoor or visit the MBDA Careers website for more information.