RF Communications Product Development Lead

TL;DR

RF Communications Product Development Lead (Spacecraft RF Communications): Leading the end-to-end development and delivery of critical spacecraft communications subsystem products with an accent on RF performance, requirements compliance, supplier coordination, and lifecycle governance. Focus on managing complex design, qualification, manufacturing, and test activities, solving technical and programme risks, and ensuring successful delivery within cost and schedule constraints.

Location: Stevenage, United Kingdom; onsite three days per week. The role may require or involve obtaining security clearance and completing baseline personnel security screening.

Company

Global engineering and technology consultancy delivering engineering solutions for aerospace, defence, space, automotive, energy, rail, IT, and other regulated industries.

What you will do

• Lead the full lifecycle development and delivery of spacecraft RF communications products.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams, suppliers, customers, and programme stakeholders.
• Plan development activities, manage risks and changes, track schedules and costs, and report progress.
• Lead design, qualification, manufacturing, acceptance, and test reviews with supporting documentation and data packages.
• Oversee RF communications analyses, link budgets, performance assessments, and subsystem requirements.
• Support verification, validation, product assurance, non-conformance management, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Proven product development, systems engineering, or project engineering experience in space, aerospace, defence, or another highly regulated industry.
• Strong knowledge of RF communications systems, communications equipment, antennas, and subsystem integration.
• Experience managing the complete product lifecycle from requirements definition through design, qualification, testing, and delivery.
• Experience leading suppliers and coordinating cross-functional engineering teams, with knowledge of technical risk, schedule, cost, requirements, verification, and validation management.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.
• Ability to review technical documentation, test results, and engineering deliverables and communicate effectively with stakeholders.

Nice to have

• Experience with satellite, spacecraft, or space systems programmes and spacecraft communications architectures.
• Experience with RF link budget analysis, data volume analysis, electromagnetic compatibility assessments, and antenna technologies.
• Familiarity with product assurance, APQP, non-conformance management, quality management, configuration management, and change control.
• Experience with equipment qualification, environmental testing, acceptance activities, subcontractor management, export control, and regulatory compliance.

Culture & Benefits

• Ongoing learning, mentoring, and tailored career development.
• Personalised career path and varied engineering projects across multiple industries.
• Private medical insurance, life insurance, and pension scheme.
• Cycle and technology scheme and employee assistance programme.
• Social events, team gatherings, and a flexible working approach depending on the role.

Hiring process

• Security clearance requirements and baseline personnel security screening are discussed during the interview and onboarding process.
• Reasonable adjustments are available during recruitment on request.