Job Description

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: 35,049 per annum + 1,000 welcome bonus

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time

Location:

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX

Closing date: 19th October 2025

Assessment Centre: December 2025 / January 2026

Start date: September 2026

The Millimetre Wave Technology Group are seeking graduate engineers to work on producing a broad range of millimetre wave instrumentation. The Group develops and deploys components and systems for use in very high frequency remote sensing applications, primarily using heterodyne radiometers and radars. Our core areas are atmospheric remote sensing and radio astronomy, both of which involve the use of ground based, airborne and satellite observation platforms. Millimetre and sub-millimetre wave (terahertz) technology is a rapidly expanding area with potential for broader applications, e.g. 6G telecommunications.


These are great opportunities for enthusiastic graduates, with background knowledge and an interest in our field, who we can train in the specialist electronic engineering skills required.


Further information on our activities at the sites is provided at https://bit.ly/3wea3Y4

Graduate Scheme

The STFC Graduate scheme will give you the opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion early in your journey with us, supported by technical training and a broader programme of career support and training and development.


Our dedicated Graduate Development Team will provide the right combination of challenge and support throughout, helping you achieve your ambitions. We know that professional recognition is also important to you too, so we will provide mentoring and expertise to help you achieve valued qualifications or chartered status in your chosen field.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

As an integral part of the team, you will:


Participate in a team involved in the design, build, test and deployment of remote sensing and communications instruments, e.g. radars and radiometers for atmospheric science and radioastronomy. Design, build and test microwave to THz active and passive components. Design, build and test microwave to THz active and passive instrumentation for ground, airborne and space applications.

Person Specification

In order to apply for the role we are looking for the following:

Essential:

Achieved, or be on course to achieve, a minimum 2:1 degree, in a relevant field of study e.g. physics or electrical/ electronic engineering (S) Have the right to live and work in the UK at time of starting employment (S) Experience of working independently and safely in a laboratory setting e.g., by having completed a laboratory based final project (S) Practical antennas, analogue, RF electronics or photonics knowledge, including experience with test equipment and measurement methods (S&I) Experience of using software/CAD packages such as HFSS, CST Microwave, Simulink/MATLAB, SolidEdge/SolidWorks (S&I) Experience of programming languages such as C, Python, LabVIEW etc. (S&I) Good communication skills (S&I)

Desirable:

RF design i.e. radio links or radars (S&I) Experience in data preparation and demonstrable ability to present and communicate scientific/engineering work (I)

Employee Benefits

We are offering a permanent position with a whole host of benefits including:


30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days). Flexible working hours. An excellent defined average salary pension scheme. Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking. Excellent learning and development opportunities. Cycle to work scheme.
Link to more benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/


As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y

Application Guidance

Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.


Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.


Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.


We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.


What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible!