RF Payload Engineer

Salary Range

£93,000 - £116,000 + Comprehensive Benefits + Bonus

Be part of a team delivering the next generation of secure military communications satellites for the UK Ministry of Defence. This work provides resilient, high‑performance connectivity for the UK, its allies and Defence personnel worldwide, playing a critical role in protecting national security as space becomes more contested and demand for secure data continues to grow.

Joining Lockheed Martin also means helping to shape significant investment in the North East space sector, with more than £100 million proposed to support high‑skill jobs, advanced manufacturing and long‑term economic growth. Opportunities include potential satellite manufacturing in County Durham and collaboration with NESST – the North East Space Skills and Technology Centre at Northumbria University – helping to build a strong pipeline of talent, learning and innovation.

This is your chance to work on mission‑critical technology, develop cutting‑edge skills and build a meaningful career, while delivering lasting impact for the region and the nation

The Role:

The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall design of the RF payload of a satellite. They will develop detailed knowledge of the payload structure and its characteristics and be able to represent all aspects of the payload to the customer as part of our design authority.

Required skills, qualifications and experience

• Architects and designs Radio Frequency systems and circuitry.

• Designs and develops RF circuitry used in high frequency and microwave applications, including receivers, transmitters, antennas, and frequency synthesizers.

• Responsible for hardware layout, component evaluation, prototype construction, and test.

• Prepares test methods and specifications; analyses and tests RF hardware to verify performance characteristics.

• Provides inputs to Product Development for formal documentation and supports manufacturing during the deliverable assembly and test phase.

• In addition, develops RF System/Subsystem Architectures consisting of: antennas, transmitters, receivers, low noise amplifiers, high power amplifiers, RF conversion elements and transmission line equipment.

• Performs link analysis and optimization, including effects of propagation medium and possible interference sources.

• Develops and allocates RF system and subsystem functional and performance requirements.

• Identifies and tracks RF technical performance measurements (TPMs).

• Performs RF system/subsystem/component trade studies and CAIV analysis.

• Supports Life Cycle Costs, reliability, availability, and maintainability analysis.

• Develops innovative solutions to a range of complex problems that are consistent with organizational objectives.

• Works without direction. Work is reviewed upon completion and is consistent with departmental objectives.

• Guides major projects to completion and may function in leadership role.

• Decisions are long-lasting and heavily influences the organization. Engages with senior personnel on significant matters.

• Actively contributes to the development of new concepts.

• Possesses full knowledge of industry and company practices, demonstrating expertise in the field and related disciplines.