Head of RF & Antenna Engineering

Head of RF & Antenna Engineering

Location: West Midlands, UK

Working Arrangement: Predominantly On-Site

About the Opportunity

PER International is working with an established specialist engineering business to recruit an experienced RF and Antenna Engineering Leader.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of an established engineering team, providing technical direction while helping shape the future development of the engineering function.

The business operates across technically demanding markets, developing advanced antenna technologies for a range of specialist applications. With an increasing focus on new product development, R&D and innovation, the successful candidate will play an important role in strengthening engineering capabilities and supporting the next stage of growth.

This position combines technical authority, people leadership and strategic involvement, offering the opportunity to influence both engineering standards and wider business direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of RF and antenna engineers, providing technical guidance, mentoring and professional development.
• Provide technical oversight across antenna design, development, simulation, testing and verification.
• Review and challenge electromagnetic modelling, simulation outputs and engineering design decisions.
• Oversee antenna measurement and validation activities, including radiation characteristics, S-parameters and anechoic chamber testing.
• Lead technical design reviews, engineering governance and technical sign-off.
• Develop and improve engineering processes, standards and ways of working.
• Collaborate with product development, manufacturing and other departments to support new and existing antenna technologies.
• Provide technical guidance on complex customer requirements and engineering challenges.
• Contribute to engineering strategy, research and new product development initiatives.
• Build a collaborative, capable and increasingly self-sufficient engineering team.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for an experienced antenna engineering professional who combines strong technical expertise with the ability to lead, mentor and develop others.

Essential Experience:

• Strong background in antenna engineering, including theoretical and practical antenna design and development.
• Experience leading, supervising or providing technical direction to engineering teams.
• Good understanding of electromagnetic simulation tools such as CST Microwave Studio, Ansys HFSS or FEKO.
• Ability to interpret, review and critically assess antenna simulation, design and measurement results.
• Knowledge of antenna testing and measurement techniques, including VNAs, radiation patterns, S-parameters and anechoic chamber testing.
• Experience supporting antenna development from initial concept through verification and production.
• Ability to mentor engineers, develop technical capability and encourage collaboration.
• Strong communication skills, with the confidence to engage with customers, senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to obtain UK Security Check (SC) clearance.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience improving engineering processes, technical governance or departmental structures.
• Previous involvement in building, scaling or developing an engineering team.
• Background in defence, aerospace, telecommunications or specialist antenna technologies.
• Exposure to new product development, R&D or engineering innovation.
• Experience contributing to engineering strategy or wider business decisions.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to move beyond a purely technical engineering position and take greater responsibility for the direction and development of an engineering function.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:

• Lead and develop an established engineering team.
• Influence technical decisions across a varied portfolio of antenna technologies.
• Help shape engineering processes, standards and future capabilities.
• Contribute to new product development, research and innovation.
• Work closely with senior leadership on engineering and business priorities.
• Take on a position offering long-term development and progression.

Relocation support is available for candidates considering a move closer to the business.

Interested?

If you have a strong background in antenna engineering and are looking for an opportunity combining technical leadership, team development and strategic responsibility, we'd be interested in hearing from you.

Apply directly or contact PER International for a confidential discussion.