Principal Design Engineer

Role Overview

We’re looking for a hands-on Principal Design Engineer to help shape the next generation of High Power Amplifier (HPA) systems across a broad frequency range up to V-band.

This is a high-impact, specialist engineering role where you’ll take ownership of designs from early concept through to production, working across both solid-state (SSPA) and travelling wave tube (TWTA) technologies.

You’ll be given the autonomy to innovate, experiment, and bring ideas to life, combining simulation, system design, and real-world lab development to deliver cutting-edge RF solutions.

Key Accountabilities

• Design and develop high-performance high-power amplifiers and systems covering C to V-Band (and beyond), defining RF architectures and key subsystems 
• Work across the full engineering lifecycle: concept → design → test → validation → production 
• Carry out hands-on lab work including tuning, measurement, fault finding, and optimisation 
• Collaborate closely with RF, systems, electronics, and manufacturing teams 
• Improve and evolve existing product designs for performance, efficiency, and reliability 
• Support system integration, including power electronics and control interfaces 
• Contribute technical insight to customer solutions and new opportunities 
• Document designs and support knowledge sharing across the engineering community

Our ideal candidate

The successful candidate will be a key technical contributor with proven experience in the design and development of high-power amplifiers (HPA/SSPA).

You bring deep, hands-on expertise and are confident taking ownership of HPA system design, from defining RF architectures through to lab validation and optimisation. Your experience enables you to shape design decisions, solve complex technical challenges, and influence product performance at a system level.

You are comfortable operating across a range of frequencies (ideally extending into higher bands), and have a strong appreciation of real-world trade-offs such as linearity, efficiency, and thermal performance.

Desired Skills/qualifications/Experience:

• Experience with HPA systems, SSPA, TWTA, or similar technologies
• Knowledge of satcom or high-frequency communication systems
• Exposure to millimetre-wave or V-band development (and beyond)
• Hands-on prototyping or lab-based development

Location: When on-site at you will be working from our R&D office in Rickmansworth - Before applying, please make sure you can commute to Ground Floor, Trinity Court, Suite C, Church St, Rickmansworth WD3 1RT

Closing date: At ETL, we always prioritise efficiency in everything we do. With this in mind, we are looking to commence our interview process without delay and reserve the right to close the opening early should we receive suitable applications.

BPSS Compliant: Due to the nature of our work, all roles require candidates to be BPSS compliant. 

VISA Sponsorship: We are able to offer a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Agency notice: We are looking to source suitable candidates for this role through our internal referral programme, direct marketing, and talent team.

Please note that we do not accept speculative CVs from external suppliers.