Location: Reading, United Kingdom
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
Contract Type: Permanent
Job Title: RF Research Engineer
Date: 02/07/2026
About Thales Research & Technology
The Thales Research & Technology (TRT) function sits at the heart of Thales UK’s innovation capability, supporting growth across our key market sectors and exploring future technologies and opportunities. Our teams undertake cutting‑edge research and development activities, helping shape the next generation of solutions across defence, aerospace, security and digital technologies.
Working across a variety of cutting‑edge projects, you will combine hands‑on RF design and development with research, rapid prototyping and technology exploration. No two projects are the same, offering exposure to a diverse range of technical challenges and emerging technologies. If you are motivated by solving complex engineering problems, learning from experienced research engineers, and seeing your ideas shape future defence and security solutions, this role offers an exceptional environment to develop your expertise and make a meaningful impact.
Main Responsibilities
- Develop innovative RF concepts and proof‑of‑concept demonstrators to investigate new technologies and capabilities.
- Design, simulate, prototype and test discrete RF circuits, integrating them into wider communication systems.
- Carry out feasibility studies through analysis, modelling, rapid prototyping and experimental evaluation.
- Explore emerging RF technologies, assessing their suitability and potential application within Thales products and solutions.
- Collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams while taking ownership of individual research activities and adapting to new technical challenges.
Ideal Experience & Skills
- Strong understanding of RF engineering principles, with hands‑on experience designing discrete RF circuits in the VHF or UHF bands, including filters, LNAs, PAs, VCOs and related components.
- Experience using RF simulation tools such as ADS (PathWave), Microwave Office or HFSS.
- Experience using PCB CAD tools, preferably Cadence, with knowledge of Altium, OrCAD or KiCAD also beneficial.
- Familiarity with RF laboratory equipment and standard RF test techniques, including Vector Network Analyser, Spectrum Analysers and Signal Generators.
- Experience in one or more of the following areas would be advantageous:
- Military communications or tactical radio systems.
- RF integration, debugging, fault‑finding and verification.
- RF system architecture and analysis.
- Higher‑frequency RF design (S‑band, C‑band or X‑band), radar, electronic warfare or antenna design.
- Complementary engineering skills such as Python, C, MATLAB, VHDL or broader hardware design.
Benefits
- Performance‑related bonus (grade dependent)
- Car cash allowance (grade dependent)
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