Antenna Engineer

Job summary

Can you design, build and test Antennas for modern communication systems? Do you want to develop your career in engineering while protecting national security?

You’ll bring your technical knowledge and ideas to create and maintain antennas that solve challenging engineering problems for partners at home and overseas. On the job training is provided, and a portion of your time will be dedicated to innovation and research.

Joining one of our product enabling teams, you’ll work on hardware products and solutions that are critical to the success of our mission. You may not know all the details yet, but you soon will.

No two days will be the same: one day you could be modifying an existing design to introduce a new requirement; the next you could be collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to design the next set of products and systems.

Job description

Putting your skills to use

Using your diverse range of skills, you will:

• Design, develop and document antennas to appropriate standards, in line with HMGCC’s engineering policies, processes and procedures.
• Create a wide range of designs and solutions that meet our partners’ needs.
• Verify designs by creating and implementing verification tests and carrying out peer reviews.
• Support products and investigate reported defects.
• Contribute to project planning and meetings.
• Undertake elements of line management and departmental administration as agreed with team management.

Person specification

More about you

To apply for this role, you will already have:

• Experience of designing and testing bespoke antennas to meet specifications and standards.
• Experience of using network and spectrum analysers plus other test equipment and measurement systems used in antenna design.
• Experience of antenna construction and good skills with hand tools.

It would be beneficial if you also have one or more of the following (although these are not essential):

• Relevant experience or relevant degree, such as RF engineering, RF communications, electronic engineering, engineering, maths or physics.
• An interest in design and implementation of antennas.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary engineering team to deliver solutions to engineering problems.
• The ability to work independently with some supervision to solve antenna related problems.
• Experience of RF design using software simulation tools, e.g. HFSS, CST etc.

Your personal skills

You will be someone who:

• Displays behaviours that promote a collaborative working environment which supports equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Is keen to learn and continually improve both technical and non-technical skills.
• Is enthused by working with other capable engineers, combining your collective knowledge to produce better results.
• Likes seeing things through to the end, with the drive and commitment to finish projects to a high standard.
• Enjoys the challenge of thinking of innovative solutions to hard problems and is not constrained by convention.
• Can manage your own workload and adapt to changing demands on your time.
• Puts plans in place to make improvements.
• Works with partners to clearly understand their desired outcomes and expectations.

Benefits

What we offer

Now that we’ve explained a bit about what you will we be doing, here’s what we can offer you:

• A positive, collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years’ service.
• 8 bank holiday days off in addition to your annual leave.
• 2 ½ additional days leave (set dates through the year).
• Pension. Our government pension scheme is Alpha. It’s a competitive, defined benefits scheme.
• Opportunities for development.
• Paid overtime or time off in lieu. Your salary is for your contracted hours. If you work more, we believe you should be rewarded for that.
• Flexible or compressed hours to support you to balance your life with your work.
• Paid parental and adoption leave and neonatal policy.
• Training. Lots and lots of training. This can be anything from a ½ day internal course to a distant learning degree. If it’s relevant to your career, we will aim to support you.
• Opportunities for mentoring and coaching.
• Free secure parking and allocated parking for car shares.
• Affinity groups – whether you are a person with a disability, part of the LGBTQIA+ community and/or from an ethnic minority background, we provide an inclusive environment, support and a variety of networks for everyone.
• Free onsite gym, open 24 hours a day.
• Bike to work scheme.
• Multi-faith prayer room. This is a quiet contemplation room for staff to use for prayer or reflection.
• 3 days paid leave a year to support a registered charity of your choice.
• Sports & social society. We have a range of clubs and societies and offer regular subsidised theatre tickets and on-site activities.
• On site café and restaurant.
• On site nursery (subject to availability).
• Relocation Loan*.

About HMGCC

We are HMGCC, the engineering specialists at the heart of the UK’s national security.

We work with the national security community, UK government, academia, private sector partners and international allies to bring engineering ingenuity to the national security mission, creating tools and technologies that drive us ahead and help to protect the nation.

We invest in our people, not only with training but also support throughout your career with us; to allow you to reach your full potential at work, as well as enjoy the work/life balance many aspire to.

To find out more about us and if we’re right for you, please visit our website.

Equal Opportunities

Inclusion and diversity really matter to us. It's not just about numbers or visible differences.

HMGCC is committed to providing equal opportunities and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and those with disabilities or who are neurodiverse.

We’re not looking for any one type of person. We’re looking for talent from all different backgrounds to join our organisation, where we genuinely respect and value each other's differences, as well as our similarities. It makes us even better at what we do.

To find out more about our culture and inclusion and diversity, please visit our website.

We are proud to offer applicants who declare a disability or long-term health condition the opportunity to apply through the Offer of Interview Scheme. We aim to ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that best meet the minimum essential criteria for this position are offered an interview where practicable.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Apply now

Discover more by applying on our website

Our recruitment team will process your application once the role has closed and everyone will get a response.

Please note dependent on the recruitment requirements, we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date.

*If you are relocating to the area and renting a property then we can offer an interest free relocation loan of up to £2,500, which is to be repaid in instalments over a period of 24 months.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Recruitment
• Email : Opportunities@hiringteam.org.uk
• Telephone : 0845 337 3217 (Our lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am until 4pm)

Recruitment team

• Email : Opportunities@hiringteam.org.uk