RF Hardware Engineer

OMD Systems develops advanced autonomous drone technologies for defence and security applications. We’re building a new RF hardware team in the UK, alongside our existing team in Berlin, and are looking for a Senior RF Design Engineer to lead the design and validation of radar front-ends for our next-generation unmanned platforms.

This role is for an experienced RF engineer who wants ownership of microwave front-end architecture — from circuit design and simulation through prototyping, characterisation, and field validation — in a fast-moving R&D environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and validate RF front-ends for radar sensors operating in the 1–40 GHz range, including LNAs, mixers, VCOs, PLLs, and power amplifiers.
• Architect FMCW and/or pulsed radar front-ends, including link budget, noise figure, and dynamic range analysis.
• Design RF PCBs on high-frequency laminates (Rogers, Taconic, PTFE-based), including controlled-impedance stackups, via optimisation, and transition design.
• Run RF simulations in Keysight ADS, AWR Microwave Office, or equivalent — covering matching networks, S-parameters, and stability analysis.
• Characterise prototypes using VNAs, spectrum analysers, signal generators, and power meters; debug at board and system level.
• Address EMC, spurious emissions, LO leakage, and IQ imbalance at the hardware level.
• Collaborate with firmware, DSP, systems, and mechanical teams through development, integration, and field testing.
• Work with PCB fabricators and assembly partners on manufacturability of high-frequency designs.
• Maintain engineering documentation: schematics, BOMs, test reports, and design rationale.

Requirements

• 5+ years designing RF/microwave circuits, with demonstrable experience in radar or similar high-frequency sensing/communication systems.
• Proven track record designing front-ends in the microwave range (1–40 GHz) — LNAs, mixers, VCOs, PLLs, PAs.
• Proficiency with RF simulation tools (Keysight ADS, AWR Microwave Office, or similar).
• Strong grasp of transmission line theory, impedance matching, and S-parameter characterisation.
• Experience with high-frequency PCB design on Rogers/Taconic/PTFE laminates, including controlled-impedance stackups.
• Hands-on proficiency with RF test equipment: VNAs, spectrum analysers, signal generators, power meters.
• Strong understanding of noise figure, dynamic range, and link budget calculations.
• Experience with Altium Designer or KiCad.
• Ability to read and interpret datasheets and technical documentation in English.

Nice to Have

• Experience with FMCW or pulsed radar front-end architectures.
• Familiarity with phased array antenna architectures and beamforming.
• Experience with MMIC integration and RF module packaging.
• Component selection experience with GaAs, GaN, or SiGe technologies.
• Understanding of Doppler processing and range-velocity estimation at the hardware/DSP interface.
• Experience debugging mixed-signal systems.
• Hands-on experience with RF assembly and prototyping, including fine-pitch SMD work.

What We Offer

• Work on cutting-edge autonomous systems and defence-grade radar technology.
• High ownership of RF architecture and front-end design decisions.
• Modern lab environment with real-world flight testing.
• Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team across the UK and Berlin.
• Competitive compensation package.
• Hybrid flexibility from our Portsmouth office.