RF Communications Architect

Overview

Expleo is a trusted partner for end-to-end, integrated engineering, quality services, and management consulting for digital transformation. We help businesses harness technological change to deliver innovations that provide a competitive advantage and improve everyday lives globally.

We are currently recruiting for a RF Communications Architect to support one of our customers in the Aerospace industry.

 

The RF Communications Architect is responsible for the end-to-end definition, design, procurement, integration, and verification of spacecraft RF communication systems throughout the project lifecycle. The role leads all RF engineering activities, acts as the primary RF technical authority for the mission, and serves as the key interface with customers, suppliers, and internal engineering teams.

 

The position supports the development of spacecraft communication capabilities including Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C), data transmission systems, RF subsystems, antenna systems, RF distribution networks, and associated ground interfaces. The role reports operationally to the Electrical Systems Lead Architect and works closely with Functional Avionics, Systems Engineering, EMC, Mechanical Design, Procurement, and Quality teams.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership:

• Lead all spacecraft RF communications activities across various project phases.
• Act as the mission RF focal point for customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Define RF architectures and communication subsystem solutions to meet mission and customer requirements.
• Analyse and allocate system requirements to RF subsystems and equipment.
• Perform and oversee RF system analyses, including link budgets, insertion loss budgets and performance assessments.
• Produce technical documentation, design justifications and analysis reports.

RF Communications System Design:

• Define and support procurement of:
  • TT&C Transponders
  • S-Band and X-Band communication equipment
  • RF amplifiers
  • Modulators and encoders
  • Antenna systems
  • RF harness, coaxial, waveguide and switching assemblies
  • RF filters
  • Laser Communication Terminals
  • Special mission-specific RF equipment

Supplier and Procurement Management:

• Support RF equipment procurement activities, including:
  • Request for Proposal (RFP) preparation
  • Supplier engagement and negotiations
  • Tender Evaluation Boards (TEBs)
  • Technical evaluations and data pack reviews
• Manage RF equipment contracts through to hardware delivery.
• Coordinate supplier engineering activities and monitor technical progress.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Supply Chain Quality Management (SCQM) to ensure on-time, on-quality, on-cost delivery.

Project and Systems Engineering Support:

• Support System Requirements Reviews (SRR) and Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR).
• Contribute RF inputs to:
  • Design Descriptions (DD)
  • Design, Development & Verification Plans (DDVP)
  • Space-to-Ground Interface Control Documents (SGICD)
  • EMC/RF Control Plans
  • Engineering Interface Control Documents (EICD)
• Participate in project risk and opportunity management activities.
• Define and maintain RF-related Key Interface Data (KIDs).

Integration and Verification:

• Support Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) activities.
• Coordinate verification activities for RF subsystem requirements.
• Support launch campaign activities related to TT&C and data downlink systems.
• Ensure RF subsystem compliance with mission requirements and applicable standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in:
  • Electronic Engineering
  • Telecommunications Engineering
  • RF & Microwave Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Physics
  • Or a related engineering discipline

Essential skills

• Spacecraft RF communications system design.
• RF and microwave engineering.
• Link budget analysis and RF performance modelling.
• Antenna system design and integration.
• Waveguide, coaxial and RF distribution network design.
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) principles.
• Communication subsystem architecture definition.
• Requirements analysis, decomposition and traceability.
• Satellite systems engineering.
• Technical leadership and ownership.
• Supplier and subcontractor management.
• Customer-facing communication.
• Risk and opportunity management.
• Technical documentation and specification writing.
• Design review participation and presentation.
• Cross-functional collaboration across engineering disciplines.

Experience

• Significant experience in RF communications engineering.
• Experience delivering complex aerospace, satellite, defence, or high-reliability communication systems.
• Experience defining RF subsystem architectures and equipment specifications.
• Experience managing suppliers and equipment procurement activities.
• Experience supporting design reviews such as SRR, PDR, CDR and verification activities.
• Experience producing technical documentation, requirements specifications and interface documents.
• Experience with ESA or institutional space programmes.
• Experience with S-Band and X-Band communications systems.
• Experience with TT&C and data downlink architectures.
• Experience supporting spacecraft integration, test and launch campaigns.
• Experience with Laser Communication Terminals (LCTs)

What do I need before I apply

Hybrid working arrangement with attendance at Stevenage site required for programme reviews, customer meetings, supplier engagements, and key project milestones. Frequency to be agreed with the programme team.

Benefits

• Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and our peers through good times and challenges 
• We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects 
• Expleo Academy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses 
• Competitive company benefits
• Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo

 

• As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:
  • Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
  • Communicating and promoting vacancies
  • Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
  • Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
  • Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people

 

“We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age”. 

 

We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive