RF Lead Engineer

Location: Cambridge, UK

Team: Engineering

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About Us:

Forefront RF is a fabless semiconductor company developing breakthrough RF technology that radically simplifies RF front-end architectures for mobile and connected devices. Our long-term vision is to empower anyone to treat global connectivity as a commodity, effortlessly adding it to any device. We lead through innovation, solving our customers’ toughest challenges, enabling them to stay ahead by pushing the boundaries of RF design.

Our Values:

Our values are the quiet nudge that help us to be our best in every interaction.

• One team: We are one team. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work – we listen, share, and build solutions together. We support one another, embrace challenges and fun, and celebrate collective success. Together with our stakeholders, we turn collaboration into outcomes that matter.
• Innovation with intent: We operate at the forefront of technology, building innovative pathways to the future that meets real customer needs.
• Solutions driven: We deliver effortless connectivity through innovative, manufacturable designs that solve real world challenges.
• Customer focused: We act with integrity and hold ourselves accountable to deliver customer focused solutions. All decisions we make are guided by a deep commitment to meeting our customers’ expectations.
• Sustainable: We make responsible choices in design, supply chain, and operations.
• We simplify where possible, reducing waste, and contributing to a more efficient and sustainable RF ecosystem.

Role Overview:

We are seeking a skilled RF Lead Engineer to join our growing development team in Cambridge, UK.

You will lead the detailed RF design, development, and delivery of RF subsystems within a defined system architecture. This role is hands-on and delivery-focused, combining deep RF technical expertise with team leadership, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration. You will be responsible for ensuring RF designs meet performance, quality, and schedule requirements, working closely with the System Architect and other engineering disciplines.

Key Responsibilities:

RF Technical Leadership

• Lead RF design activities across assigned projects in line with system-level requirements and architecture
• Own subsystem performance, implementation, and technical delivery
• Lead design reviews and provide technical approval for RF designs

RF Design & Development

• Design, simulate, and validate RF circuits and subsystems (e.g. LNAs, PAs, filters, Duplexers)
• Translate system and architectural requirements into detailed RF designs
• Support RF trade-offs and optimisation within given architectural constraints

Testing & Verification

• Define and execute RF test plans and verification activities
• Analyse RF measurements including S-parameters, NF, phase noise, EVM, ACPR, and linearity
• Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis of RF performance issues

Mentorship & Team Development

• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to RF engineers
• Promote best practices in RF design, documentation, and verification
• Support skills development and knowledge sharing within the RF team

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the System Architect, and full multi-disciplinary team
• Provide RF input to project planning, risk management, and technical decision-making
• Support manufacturing, production test, and in-service support activities

About you:

You’re excited by the opportunity to work with breakthrough technologies.

You may thrive in this role if you have some or all the following:  

Education & experience:

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in RF Engineering, Electronics, Physics, or a related field
• Strong hands-on experience in RF design across relevant frequency ranges
• Proven experience leading RF technical delivery on complex projects
• Solid understanding of RF theory, measurements, and practical implementation
• Experience using RF simulation and design tools (e.g. ADS, AWR, CST, HFSS)
• Proficient with RF test equipment (VNAs, spectrum analysers, signal generators, power meters, etc.)

People Skills:

• Delivery-focused with strong technical judgement
• Proactive approach to problem-solving with a resilient attitude towards ambiguity. 
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality output.