Lead RF/Microwave Design Engineer

We are looking for a Lead RF/Microwave Design Engineer to join our team at Honeywell Aerospace in Edinburgh, where you will play a key role in the design, development, and delivery of advanced engineering solutions that drive innovation, performance, and reliability across critical systems.

In this role, you will contribute to the development of sophisticated transceiver solutions for space communications systems including but not limited to lunar missions, ensuring robust design, integration, and performance of components and subsystems.

Your strong technical expertise and hands-on approach will be essential in delivering high-quality, reliable systems that meet demanding mission and customer requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Acts as design authority and technical owner for active RF/Microwave products

Architect RF design solutions at system and module level

Assess high level customer requirements, understand customer end use application needs and define lower-level RF system/module requirements accordingly

Perform RF architectural trade-off, link budget analysis, RF line up analysis, linearity, and dynamic range calculations

Design and develop RF hardware for communication systems from UHF to Ka Band for telemetry, telecommand and payload data transmitter applications

Design active RF circuits including LNAs, SSPAs, gain blocks, mixers, frequency converters, frequency synthesizers and PLLs

Conduct RF simulations using tools such as AWR, ADS, CST, HFSS, and MATLAB

Develop RF schematics, perform component selection, and support PCB layout team for PCB manufacturing

Perform RF testing and troubleshooting using VNAs, spectrum analysers, signal generators, power meters, oscilloscopes, and noise figure analysers

Support environmental and qualification testing campaigns EMI/EMC, thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, etc.

Investigate and resolve RF performance issues across development, integration, and production

Produce technical documentation including design description, test plans, test procedures, verification matrixes

Support product owner and project engineer in product development and meeting technical milestones

Support customer technical interactions and design reviews

Support engineering manager in technical proposals and bid preparation

YOU MUST HAVE

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field

Minimum 10 years’ industrial experience in RF/microwave hardware development

Experience in aerospace, defence, or space communication systems, including exposure to mission-critical RF applications

Proven experience in developing and delivering RF engineering solutions from requirements through to implementation

Understanding of RF system development lifecycle and qualification processes, including EMI/EMC, environmental testing and production

Experience developing RF architectures and translating customer requirements into engineering solutions

Strong understanding of RF system design principles, including:

RF Line-up analysis

Link budget calculation

Linearity, Intermodulation, EVM, transmitter performance

Noise figure, SNR, BER, Receiver sensitivity

Phase noise and frequency synthesis

Frequency planning

Hands-on experience with RF measurements and debugging using vector network analysers, spectrum analysers, signal generators, power sensors, noise sources etc.

Experience supporting formal engineering design reviews (e.g. SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and structured development processes

Ability to work independently on complex technical tasks with limited supervision

Ability to lead technical reviews and communicate effectively with customers, suppliers and multidisciplinary teams

Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality delivery

Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and across multidisciplinary teams

Commitment to engineering excellence, continuous improvement, and high-quality delivery in a fast-paced environment

WE VALUE

Experience in aerospace, defence or space applications

Familiarity with ECSS, MIL-STD or equivalent industry standards

Experience acting as design authority or product technical lead

Experience supporting bids, proposals and customer-facing technical activities

Demonstrated ability to balance technical excellence with programme delivery objectives

Awareness of manufacturing, supply-chain and lifecycle considerations

Experience influencing product strategy and technology roadmaps

Strong analytical thinking and structured problem-solving capability

Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on aircraft across commercial aviation, defense and space - from engines and cockpit electronics to cabin systems, mechanical components and connectivity solutions. Our technology helps operators fly more safely, reduce fuel consumption, improve on-time performance and deliver a better experience for the people on board.

As aviation continues to evolve, we're also developing systems to support autonomous and supersonic platforms, bringing the same focus on safety and efficiency to the next era of flight. With approximately 36,000 employees worldwide and net sales of $17.4B in 2025, Honeywell Aerospace is one of the largest dedicated aerospace companies in the world. Explore our businesses: https://www.honeywellaerospace.com

Electronic Solutions develops the avionics, navigation systems, sensors and electromagnetic defense technology that help aircraft perform safely and with precision. Our systems are on board 90% of the world's aircraft - serving commercial aviation, defense and space operators from integrated flight deck platforms with 30-plus years in service to radiation-hardened systems trusted for human spaceflight.