RF & Optics Team Lead

Looking for your next career move in a company thats shaping the future of satellite communications

At ETL Systems weve been leading the way in RF design and manufacturing for over 35 years. Our technology powers critical satellite communications infrastructure used by the top 20 satellite operators and teleports worldwide and 75% of NATO governments rely on our equipment to help protect their citizens.

Were not just growing were thriving. With three Queens Awards for Enterprise in International Trade and recent acquisitions of Atlantic Microwave SpacePath Communications and IRT Technologies weve expanded our capabilities across the full RF chain. This includes everything from antenna to modem as well as high-power amplifiers and RF test equipment.

What truly sets us apart is our culture.

We are proudly recognised as a Great Place to Work (& 2026) and named Best Workplace in Manufacturing Production and Transportation (2025). Our success is built on strong values that shape how we work and grow together:

• Collaboration: We work as one team united in purpose and committed to shared success.
• Innovation: We embrace curiosity and forward-thinking to drive meaningful progress.
• Excellence: We set ambitious standards and consistently deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Integrity: We act ethically honestly and with professionalism in everything we do.

If youre looking to join a company where your ideas are valued your growth is supported and your work makes a global impact ETL Systems is the place for you.

ETL People benefits

• 33 days holiday per year (including UK bank holidays) rising to 38 days over your first five years service.
• Companyfunded Health Cash Plan (helping with everyday healthcare costs).
• Annual Bonus & Salary Review.
• Company Pension.
• Career development and training for all roles.
• ETL Employee Wellbeing Support: free eye tests free Employee Assistance Programme GP anytime.
• ETL People Perks: discounts on shopping holidays gym membership days out cinema and dining.
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme.
• Free onsite Employee Gym (Hfd HQ) and subsidised Gym memberships via People Perks
• Subsidised onsite employee Café (Hfd HQ) with free refreshments for all employees
• Free onsite parking car share scheme and EV charging.
• Casual Business Dress.
• Flexible Hours available with core hours Monday-Friday 8am-4pm (no weekends/evening)
• Annual company events.

Role Overview

In the role of RF & Optics Team Leader you will lead and develop a mixed team of experienced and junior engineers to ensure work is effectively planned resourced and delivered on time on specification and within budget. You will own and govern the RF design and test processes ensuring adherence to best practices and continuous improvements across the team. Working closely with cross-functional stakeholders you will support the design and development of new and existing products across ETLs full product portfolio.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership of the RF and Optics Team including mentoring developing and motivating team members to ensure high performance strong technical capability and consistent on-time delivery
• Ownership of RF design and test processes ensuring the team follows best practices maintains compliance and driving continually improves methods tools and ways of working.
• Lead planning and successful execution of RF design activities ensuring delivery to agreed time cost and quality targets and providing accurate estimates for new work.
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration working closely with Mechanical PCB Electronics Software Test and other teams to ensure coherent integrated product development.
• Engage proactively with stakeholders across the business including Production Operations Sales and project teams to ensure alignment and timely delivery of customer commitments.
• Oversee creation and quality of design documentation ensuring the team consistently produces clear complete and professional materials such as requirements design documents technical briefs datasheets and test reports.
• Identify and manage technical risks ensuring mitigation plans are in place and communicated effectively to keep programmes on track.
• Provide regular and effective progress updates to engineering management on project progress risks resource needs and opportunities for improvement.
• Enable the development of RF/Microwave capability within the organisation championing knowledge sharing training tool improvements and adoption of modern technologies and techniques.
• Represent the business externally by supporting conferences exhibitions and networking activities when required.
• Apply hands-on RF design expertise as needed contributing to the development of RF products across IF to V-band particularly in complex areas where leadership level guidance is required.

Our ideal candidate

Location: This role requires you to work on-site at our modern manufacturing facility in Hook 3 minutes off junction 5 of the M3. Before applying please make sure you can commute to Unit 4 Bartley Point Osborn Way Hook RG27 9GX

Closing date:At ETL we always prioritise efficiency in everything we do. With this in mind we are looking to commence our interview process without delay and reserve the right to close the opening early should we receive suitable applications.

BPSS Compliant: Due to the nature of our work all roles require candidates to be BPSS compliant.

VISA Sponsorship: Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Agency notice: We are looking to source suitable candidates for this role through our internal referral programme direct marketing and talent team.

Please note that we do not accept speculative CVs from external suppliers.

Required Experience:

Manager