RF Engineer - WFH / Didcot OX11, 4months - Rate c£400/day Umbrella.
Key words / skills: RF Engineer, Microwave, MOD, Defence, ICI, Ice Cloud Imager, Microwave Sounder, Space, 166-325GHz, MM-Wave.

Overview:
Wilde Recruitment Ltd are working along side BEISUK in order to recruit a number of RF Engineers to work on a contract basis.
As a RF Engineer your duties and responsibilities will include:
The RAL Space Millimetre Wave Technology (MMT) Group is seeking an experienced RF, microwave or millimetre wave instrumentation test engineer. They will provide project technical engineering support on the development, production and test of millimetre wave spaceflight receivers for the MetOp Second Generation (MetOp-SG) series of Earth observation satellites.

MetOp-SG is a suite of satellites being developed to ensure operational continuity with the current European meteorological space system, MetOp. MetOp will be operational until at least 2020, after which the new generation Date of Last Review: Jan 2022 of satellites will be deployed, with a series of launches ensuring the availability of instruments throughout the 15- 20 year MetOp-SG programme lifetime.

The first satellite launch is planned for June 2024. Millimetre wave receiver front-ends are required by three instruments on MetOp-SG; the Microwave Sounder (MWS), Microwave Imager (MWI) and Ice Cloud Imager (ICI).

The MMT Group at RAL Space is leading a consortium to produce the receiver front ends covering the highest frequencies of operation, 166-325 GHz. The successful candidate will be expected to support mm-wave receiver work by:
Integrating and testing flight receivers to the required flight standards, working in ESD-controlled cleanroom conditions.
Providing detailed feedback to the RAL design team as well as preparing inputs to documentation and reports for presentation to the customer(s) at project reviews.
Identifying and recommending possible improvements in efficiency or quality at any stage of the integration and test procedures Assembly and test of the flight hardware will be carried out in a class 10,000 cleanroom. This is equipped with RF and microwave test equipment such as spectrum analysers, power meters, frequency counters, signal generators etc. as well as vector network analysers. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to play a key role not only in the integration and test of the flight hardware, but also in environmental testing; RAL Space has extensive facilities for environmental testing including vibration & shock, thermal vacuum and humidity testing.

From my call with the Hiring Manager, I also took the following main points.

Will be working with (assembly and testing) of bespoke space equipment, operating in clean rooms and be required to adhere to safety procedures and all that goes with working in a clean room.
Able to follow policies and procedures, and instructions. Good attention to detail.
Demonstrable experience in the use of RF, microwave or mm-wave test equipment.
Good dexterity as will be hands on in the assembly process of equipment.
Some data prep / presentation – Knowledge of MS Suite necessary.
Ideally someone with relevant Degree or vocational equivalent.
Will be part of a team of around 5/6 and a wider team of around 20.
Based at Harwell Campus, OX11 0QX. 

To discuss this vacancy please contact: James Walker or Mike Kelly
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Wilde Recruitment Ltd operates as both an employment business and agency. If your application is for a position based in the UK or EU, under European Employment Law you MUST be eligible to live and work there.