RF Communications Product Development Lead

Job Description

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy supporting some of the world's most ambitious aerospace and defence programmes. We are seeking an experienced RF Communications Product Development Lead to join a high-profile satellite mission, taking ownership of the development and delivery of critical communications subsystem products throughout the full programme lifecycle.

• Location: Stevenage
• On Site: 3x a week
• Clearance: Clearable
• Experience Level: Senior

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end development and delivery of spacecraft RF Communications products, ensuring performance, quality, cost and schedule objectives are achieved.
• Act as the technical and programme focal point for communications subsystem equipment, coordinating engineering teams, suppliers and stakeholders throughout the product lifecycle.
• Manage product development activities, including planning, risk management, progress reporting and review milestones.
• Drive technical compliance with customer requirements, programme needs and industry standards.
• Lead key design, qualification, manufacturing and test reviews, ensuring successful delivery of all associated documentation and data packages.
• Oversee RF communications analyses, including link budgets, communications performance assessments and subsystem requirements management.
• Manage supplier relationships, monitoring performance, delivery schedules, quality standards and contractual commitments.
• Support product assurance activities, including non-conformance management, acceptance processes and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Control product cost, risk and change management activities, ensuring effective programme execution and governance.
• Contribute to the definition, verification and validation of communications subsystem solutions within a complex spacecraft environment.

Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in product development, systems engineering or project engineering within the Space, Aerospace, Defence or other highly regulated industries.
• Strong understanding of RF Communications systems, including communications equipment, antennas and subsystem integration.
• Experience managing the full product lifecycle, from requirements definition through design, qualification, testing and delivery.
• Demonstrable experience leading suppliers and coordinating cross-functional engineering teams.
• Knowledge of engineering reviews and development milestones (e.g. PDR, CDR, qualification and test reviews).
• Experience in technical risk management, schedule management and cost control.
• Strong understanding of requirements management, verification and validation processes.
• Ability to review and assess technical documentation, test results and engineering deliverables.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary programme environment.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience working on satellite, spacecraft or space systems programmes.
• Knowledge of spacecraft communications architectures and RF subsystem design.
• Experience performing or reviewing RF Link Budget Analysis, Data Volume Analysis and Electromagnetic Compatibility/E-Field assessments.
• Understanding of antenna technologies, including High Gain, Medium Gain and Low Gain Antenna systems.
• Familiarity with Product Assurance, APQP, Non-Conformance Management and Quality Management processes.
• Experience supporting equipment qualification, environmental testing and acceptance activities.
• Knowledge of configuration management and change control processes.
• Experience managing subcontractors and external suppliers within complex engineering programmes.
• Understanding of export control, regulatory compliance and contractual delivery frameworks.
• Familiarity with tools and methodologies used for systems engineering and requirements management.

Additional Information

Why join us?

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get:

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes.

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.