RF / Hardware Research Engineer

Location: Reading, United Kingdom

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

RF / Hardware Research Engineer

Location: Reading

Hours of work: 37 Hrs/Week (Monday-Friday) – Minimum 3 days at office

Do you have an inquisitive and technical problem-solving mind? Are you a good communicator and a team player? Would you like to work in a supportive environment? Got your interest, then look no further…

Our Opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity in our Research, Technology and Innovation business.  Due to a rapid period of growth we are looking to add a RF/Hardware Research Engineer to the team. You will work in an applied research environment to investigate and develop new technologies and concepts across a wide range of Thales’s application areas.

As a RF/Hardware Research Engineer you will carry out low-TRL research and development activities for potential future products, in areas including VHF/UHF communications for both civil and military applications.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

• The successful candidate will be expected to work within a group of research staff, as well as being self-motivated to work individually, and be flexible to adapt into new research areas and ways of working. Tasks are expected to include:

Generation of RF concepts, architectures, and novel ideas

Production of detailed RF designs

Building proof-of-concept demonstrators and prototypes

• Listen to customers, interpret their needs, seek clarification and reach agreement, with a view to developing long lasting relationships.

• Present and explain complex technical issues to management, colleagues and customers.

• Work collaboratively as part of a team, whilst taking responsibility for individual tasks.

• Analyse complex technical problems, exercise judgement and offer innovative, practical and compliant solutions in a timely manner.

• Prioritise, manage the workload, be flexible, and work under pressure to demanding timescales.

About You

Skills

The following skills are essential for the successful candidate:

• Discrete RF circuit design (e.g. filters, LNAs, PAs, VCOs)

• Simulation/modelling (e.g. ADS, MWO, SPICE, Matlab)

• Hands-on prototyping (schematic, PCB, soldering)

• RF test and measurement, fault finding and debugging

The following are considered desirable:

• RF architecture and system budgets

• Analogue/Digital hardware design

• SDR

Whilst we have listed these skills, the successful candidate must be flexible to move to new opportunities as business objectives and workload dictate.

We also expect candidates to be proficient in the use of standard PC-based office tools. We currently use Microsoft tools: Windows, Word, Excel, Powerpoint. Access, Project & Visio.

Experience:

The successful candidate will typically have significant experience working in VHF and UHF communications applications.

In addition, experience in the following areas is desirable:

• Microwave applications (>2 GHz)

• RF design for radar applications

• Antenna design

• Novel or unusual applications of RF techniques

Values & Behaviours:

• The ability and willingness to continue to learn and develop technical skills, assisting others to do likewise where appropriate

• A balance of creative thinking/problem-solving with good engineering practise

Qualifications:

• In addition to the experience listed above, the successful candidate will typically have a fundamental technical understanding built on an honours degree (minimum 2.1), a master’s degree, or a PhD in a relevance discipline.

• Membership of a professional institution and professional engineering registration

Security Clearance statement  
Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a sole British National from birth and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats . It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance- United Kingdom Security Vetting - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What We Can Offer

We’re committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you’ll have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.

Flexibility

Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Benefits at Thales

Alongside a competitive base salary, we offer a variable compensation plan bonus and benefits package, which includes;

• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00pm
• Pension Scheme
• 28 days annual leave (Plus Bank Holidays) 
• Life Cover
• Progression and Development Opportunities
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

#LI-RS1

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!