Antenna Engineer

Job Description:

Leonardo UK Ltd., a leading defence technology company, is recruiting to support the development of sensors for integration on future airborne platforms. Leonardo’s long heritage in sensor development spans technologies such as Radar, Electronic Warfare, Electro Optic & Infrared sensing and Communications that are supplied to both Defence and Commercial customers worldwide.

If you are an experienced Antenna Engineer and would like to advance your skills in a Core Delivery Team (CDT) across a common RF product portfolio, then keep reading!

What you will do

As part of a growing UK wide team, and depending on your skills and expertise, work may include:

• The development of existing product and advanced research into cutting-edge solutions for both new and existing RF platforms.
• Translate system-level requirements into antenna and RF subsystem specifications.
• Perform antenna trade studies and technology down-selection against technical and programme requirements.
• Using various EM simulation tools (e.g. CST, FEKO) to analyse and optimise the design and installation impacts of sensors on a platform.
• Undertake the detailed design and development of antenna/radome (sensor/window) and frequency selective components, together with their associated electrical, mechanical and functional interfaces.
• Support antenna development throughout the engineering lifecycle.
• Technical assessment and modelling of system or subsystem design to ensure compatibility with overall system performance. This extends to acting as independent Design Assessor to support the Electronics Function as required.
• Contributing to/Setting the technical strategy for the CDT teams and assuring that the people, process and tool capabilities are in place for the local team to achieve their objectives.
• Generation of discipline estimations and project plans for project delivery as directed by the Chief HW Engineer and Project Engineering Lead.
• The above duties will vary subject to hiring level and training will be available for applicants entering at the lower levels.

Skills, Qualifications & Knowledge Required

As we are recruiting for various levels, possessing all the below requirements is not mandatory for application. We are fully committed to the training of our Engineers.

• Subject to Hiring level: Degree/Master’s Degree in Physics, a mathematical, engineering or suitable science-based subject.
• Subject to Hiring level: PhD in a subject such as Physics, Antenna Design, propagation, Electromagnetics, Microwave engineering, Data Analysis of measured data, or equivalent.

• Strong design experience of designing antennas operating in the VHF through to micro/mm-wave frequencies.
• Experience of design and simulation in CST Microwave Studio, Altair Feko or Ansys HFSS
• MATLAB Simulation and data processing of Antenna parameters and test results
• A theoretical or practical knowledge of antenna measurement techniques (e.g. Near field).
• RF measurement experience using standard microwave equipment (VNA, Spectrum Analyser, etc.).
• Experience designing broadband, electrically small, conformal or novel antennas.
• Practical experience of designing baluns, matching networks and feed structures for antennas.
• Theoretical knowledge of Radar cross section simulation, measurement and mitigation techniques.
• Experience or theoretical knowledge of designing frequency selective surfaces and metamaterials.

Highly Desirable

• Experience of designing antennas for aircraft, high speed vehicles and/or demanding environments.
• Experience of simulating and integrating antennas on large platforms with complex electromagnetic environments.
• Experience or theoretical knowledge of designing electrically scanned antenna arrays including tightly coupled arrays.
• RF / microwave printed circuit design such as printed filters, printed matching networks, corporate feed networks, printed baluns, couplers etc.
• Experience of RF circuit simulation in Keysight ADS or AWR Microwave office.
• Awareness of PCB layout tools and practices.
• Awareness of recent developments in antenna technology and continued personal development.
• Knowledge of propagation modelling / link budget calculation.
• Knowledge of RADHAZ (SAR) modelling and RADHAZ assessment.
• Awareness of mechanical design CAD, mechanical design practices and 3D printing.
• Experience of physical prototyping including soldering, use of basic workshop tools.
• Knowledge of Radome design and performance modelling.
• Working knowledge of Python.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Leonardo offers an additional allowances for some roles – for more information please contact [email protected]

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

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Primary Location:

GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid