Antenna Design Engineer

Job Title: Antenna Design Engineer
Location: Hybrid (3 days on-site)
Reporting To: Engineering Manager / Technical Lead

Overview
We are looking for an experienced Antenna Design Engineer to support the development of high-performance electronic-scanning array antenna systems operating in the Ku-band frequency range (15–18 GHz), specifically focusing on radar applications. This role will involve the design, simulation, prototyping, and validation of advanced antenna solutions for next-generation sensing and communication systems. The ideal candidate will bring a solid grounding in RF engineering principles, practical antenna development experience, and a collaborative approach to multidisciplinary engineering. This is a long-term opportunity to develop new antenna designs and evolve our existing e-scan antennas with the aim of enhancing capabilities and performance while driving down the cost of manufacture.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop antennas and antenna subsystems for Ku-band radar applications, including arrays, reflectors, planar and meta-structures.
• Perform electromagnetic (EM) simulation and modelling using industry-standard tools (e.g. EMPRO, ADS, CST, HFSS, FEKO).
• Translate system-level requirements into antenna specifications and detailed designs.
• Conduct performance optimisation for gain, bandwidth, efficiency, beam shaping, and sidelobe levels.
• Support prototyping and manufacturing activities including fabrication oversight and test setup definition.
• Carry out antenna measurements (e.g., anechoic chamber testing, near-field/far-field measurements) and analyse results.
• Collaborate with RF, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to ensure integration and performance compliance.
• Contribute to design reviews, technical documentation, and verification reports.
• Stay up to date with advances in antenna technologies, materials, and design methodologies.

Key Requirements:

• Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience designing and developing RF/microwave antennas.
• Strong understanding of electromagnetic theory, transmission lines, and RF propagation.
• Experience with antenna simulation tools 
• Familiarity with Ku-band or adjacent microwave frequency ranges (e.g., X-band, Ka-band).
• Practical experience with antenna measurement techniques and RF test equipment (e.g., VNAs, spectrum analysers).
• Ability to interpret and analyse complex technical data.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working on radar systems or advanced communications systems.
• Exposure to advanced antenna techniques such as phased arrays, beamforming techniques
• Experience using Matlab, Systemvue and Solidworks Interface
• Familiarity with meta-material or meta-surface-based antenna designs at microwave frequencies
• Understanding of manufacturing considerations for high-frequency antenna structures.

Personal Attributes

• Effective communicator with the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with strong ownership of deliverables.
• Comfortable balancing theoretical analysis with practical engineering constraints.
• Adaptable and open to new technologies and approaches.

Blighter Surveillance Systems Ltd designs and sells electronic scanning ground radar systems for national border security, counter-drone, perimeter security and coastline security. Our radars have a reputation for performance and reliability, protecting lives and critical assets worldwide. As an SME, we are able to develop and adapt our designs quickly in response to user requirements. Based in Great Chesterford just south of Cambridge, we are easy to reach by car and only two minutes' walk from the nearest rail station