Antenna and Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer

Background      

The Satellite Applications Catapult is on an exciting mission to innovate for a better world empowered by space!  An excellent opportunity has arisen for a qualified Radio Frequency (RF) engineer to grow their skill set working with our experienced Engineers to run our Antenna and RF testing facilities. You will learn about and support the operation of the Catapult Spacecraft test and verification facilities in order to provide a robust and consistent service offer to our facility users.

We are looking for an engineer with training in RF measurements and antenna characterisation who is keen to expand their knowledge and experience. You will work with our current engineers characterising antennas and other RF subsystems on our RF testing facilities and learn to operate these facilities yourself.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated person to expand their skill set working in the field of satellite communications and spacecraft test and verification.

Key Responsibilities:

• Liaising with our facility users to determine test requirements and develop test plans for their products.

• Antenna measurement and characterisation on our Near Field Range, Far Field Range and Compact Antenna Test Range

• Use of state-of-the-art RF test & measurement equipment including, Vector Network Analysers, Vector Signal Generators and Signal & Spectrum Analysers.

• Develop integrated hardware setups and automated processes for accurate and repeatable RF data acquisition, using high level programming languages such as Matlab and Python.

• Analysis of measurement data and preparation of high quality test reports.

• Maintenance and calibration of the antenna & RF testing facilities and equipment.

• Working with colleagues on the continuous evolution of our antenna & RF testing facilities to ensure that they remain world-leading and at the forefront of the technology advancements.

• Mounting and unmounting of antennas on the Far Field Range (including using forklifts, manual handling and working at heights).

• Running prelaunch validation / verification tests on satellites and other items at our DISC facility.

• Working with colleagues to ensure a safe and productive work environment.

  Ways of Working

We are a learning organisation where our ways of working are underpinned by coaching and feedback, fostering adult to adult conversations. Innovation is at the heart of everything that we do, therefore being highly adaptive and agile with a GROWTH mindset will ensure your success at the Catapult. We expect our people to be Pioneering, Agile, Collaborative and Entrepreneurial, working at PACE.

Skills & Experience required:

• Solid knowledge of how Radio Frequency signals are transmitted, propagated and received.

• Experience in characterisation of antennas.

• Experience in use, integration and automation of RF test & measurement instrumentation.

• Willingness to work across different fields of activities.

• Willingness to learn new techniques. 

• Some experience in metal work and use of simple tooling would be an advantage.

• Ability to work closely with our RF engineers and other members of our interdisciplinary team.

• Ability to work independently when required.

• Educated to degree or equivalent technical level.

• Relationship Management – you develop and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders - using relationships to shape prospects and opportunities for the future. You can seek opportunities to build relationships important to the business. You consider how your actions/decisions may impact the ecosystem and work collaboratively to accomplish work goals.

• Delivering results – you define what needs to be delivered, providing clarity on what needs to be delivered, by when and drive this through to delivery. You maintain a high level of commitment to personally getting things done with little direction. You are dependable and responsible.

• Excellent Communication – you share vision and objectives clearly to enable successful outcomes.

• Team work - you work with other teams and partners to exploit and evolve technology applications

  Success Factors: You know you have been successful when…

• Our customers receive high quality test results in a timely manner.

• You are comfortable operating a range of test equipment across our facilities.

• You become the lead engineer for one of our facilities.

How we work….

We strive to create a high trust, high performance and inclusive environment that enables team members to bring their whole selves to work – this helps to create the foundations of an innovation culture. Our shared values are critical to this:

• We care - for our people, our partners, and our planet

• We connect - and engage with people and ideas

• We learn - and grow, as people and as an industry

Underpinning this is our belief in great teams, our combined efforts will always deliver outcomes beyond that of anyone providing we are honest through debate, experiment and reflect, and create shared resolutions in support of our purpose. Live these values, work to our principles, take ownership to deliver, and we are certain you will thrive with us.

This job description set outs the skills and experience we think are needed to be able to perform in this job. However, if you believe you can deliver in this role then we want to hear from you.

Important notice for applicants: We use tools to detect plagiarism and the use of AI or chatbots for applicant answers. If plagiarism, AI use (such as ChatGPT) or similar software are found to have been used in your application you will not be considered for this or future roles within the Satellite Applications Catapult. If you need any additional support during the application process, please do reach out and connect. We also invite you to share feedback via Applied.