Principal RF Hardware Engineer – Calibration

Overview

As the senior RF hardware authority in Norwich, you own the design, validation, and lifecycle of precision RF hardware from concept to production. You collaborate with systems, firmware, metrology, and manufacturing to translate stringent measurement requirements into robust, manufacturable designs. You will shape the RF product line’s long-term capability and mentor the team to deepen RF expertise. This role sits at the intersection of metrology and high-frequency hardware, enabling industry-leading instruments up to 27 GHz and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Act as the principal RF design authority for precision RF and mixed-signal hardware and PCAs, focusing on low phase noise, spectral purity, signal integrity, and metrology-grade stability.
• Lead full lifecycle of designs (concept to sustainment) to deliver high-quality products on schedule.
• Perform RF simulation and analysis (S-parameters, harmonic balance, EM, transmission-line) and correlate models with measurements using VNAs, spectrum/phase-noise analyzers, and TDR.
• Conduct design reviews, mitigate risks, manage obsolescence (EOL/RoHS), and second-source critical RF/microwave components.
• Collaborate with factory and test teams to ensure producibility, testability, and high first-pass yield.
• Provide technical leadership across systems, firmware, and metrology; mentor engineers and codify RF design knowledge.
• Influence RF technology roadmap by identifying risks, proposing architectural improvements, and exploring higher-frequency measurement technologies.

Key requirements

• 15+ years of hands-on precision RF and mixed-signal hardware design with production shipping experience.
• Direct design experience from DC to 27 GHz; familiarity or hands-on work up to 50+ GHz.
• Deep RF/microwave expertise: low phase-noise synthesis, signal generation/leveling, frequency conversion, high-frequency signal integrity.
• Proficiency with RF design tools (ADS, AWR/Microwave Office, HFSS/CST or equivalent) and model-to-measurement correlation.
• Hands-on RF test equipment experience (VNAs, spectrum/phase-noise analyzers, signal generators, power meters, TDR/oscilloscopes) and solid metrology grounding.
• Experience collaborating with manufacturing on design-for-manufacturability, test development, yield, and obsolescence management.
• Excellent communication and mentoring skills; ability to set technical direction across cross-functional teams.
• On-site work capability at the Norwich, England design center.

• strong communication
• mentoring
• cross-functional collaboration
• RF/microwave design
• low phase-noise synthesis
• signal generation and leveling

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