Lead RF Systems Engineer / Technical Lead

Location(s): UK, Europe & Africa : UK : Great Baddow || UK, Europe & Africa : UK : Frimley || UK, Europe & Africa : UK : London BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is home to 4,500 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We work collaboratively across 10 countries to collect, connect and understand complex data, so that governments, nation states, armed forces and commercial businesses can unlock digital advantage in the most demanding environments.

Job Title: Lead RF Systems Engineer

Location: Great Baddow (hybrid working)

Who We Are Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow – shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space – there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Role Description We are seeking a highly experienced and driven Lead RF Systems Engineer / Technical Lead to join our growing capability team focused on development of RF systems. This role is ideal for a systems-level thinker with deep expertise in RF technologies who thrives at the interface of multi-disciplinary teams and excels in shaping innovative system solutions from concept through to demonstrator.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Provide technical leadership across Sense & Effect development projects, from early-stage R&D (TRL 2-4) through to advanced technology demonstrators (TRL5/6 and beyond).
• Systems Engineering: Lead the development of RF system architectures, including trade-off studies balancing performance, cost, time, and risk.
• Multi-Disciplinary Integration: Bring together specialists in antennas, RF components, signal processing, electronics, firmware, and software to deliver cohesive system solutions.
• Customer Engagement: Represent the technical solution to customers and stakeholders, providing briefings, technical justifications, and system roadmaps.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with the Engineering Manager and Project Manager to align delivery with project milestones and quality standards.
• Innovation: Contribute to the development of new RF system concepts, supporting early-stage innovation, proof-of-principle activities, and feasibility studies.
• Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and inspire engineers across the team, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.

Essential Requirements

• Strong background in RF systems engineering, particularly in Radar and/or Electronic Warfare domains (or related).
• Understanding of RF subsystems, including antennas, front-end electronics, signal processing chains, and system integration.
• Proven track record of system design, trade-off analysis, and performance modelling.
• Experience developing early-stage concepts into technology demonstrators or operational prototypes.
• Excellent communication skills with experience in customer-facing roles and technical presentations.
• Strong collaboration skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams or acting as a technical authority.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of EM, RF, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and RF simulation/modelling tools.
• Experience with either Radar or electronic warfare techniques and military threat environments.
• Understanding of system-level testing and validation of RF systems.
• Familiarity with defence standards and system engineering frameworks (e.g., DOORS, SysML, NAF).

Why BAE Systems Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work – this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family – support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive. We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

We welcome applications from all candidates and give full, fair and open consideration to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment team to discuss any further support you may need. Connect with us at baesystems.com/connect Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Life at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence We are embracing Hybrid Working. This means you and your colleagues may be working in different locations, such as from home, another BAE Systems office or client site, some or all of the time, and work might be going on at different times of the day.

By embracing technology, we can interact, collaborate and create together, even when we’re working remotely from one another. Hybrid Working allows for increased flexibility in when and where we work, helping us to balance our work and personal life more effectively, and enhance well-being.

Diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. We are proud to have an organisational culture where employees with varying perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds – the best and brightest minds – can work together to achieve excellence and realise individual and organisational potential.