RF Engineering Internship, Defence & Security – 2026 summer placement

Cambridge Consultants

INTRODUCTION   The Defence & Security Business Unit is responsible for delivering designs that range from small RF sub-modules through to complete wireless systems. The engineering teams work alongside other disciplines to deliver these services to clients and are therefore fortunate to work closely with a wide range of groups across the company.   As an RF Engineer, with support from your mentors and peers, you will participate in the development of new ground-breaking wireless products, from initial concept through to product specification and verification across defence & security sector. This placement can be between 3- and 6-months duration with a flexible start date, and is suitable for PhD students who have completed their first year of study. There is no deadline for this role, as we recruit on a rolling basis. Once the position is filled, we will close the advert. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.      WHAT WE CAN OFFER   The role involves contributing to RF systems design, antenna development, board-level RF circuit design and design validation of our clients’ products.   You will have the opportunity to work on ground-breaking wireless designs, for example:   * Communication systems * Radar systems * Force protection systems    Some of your responsibilities will include:   * System design, propagation modelling, protocol design * Field experiments to validate concepts * PCB level RF circuit design and laboratory-based design validation   * Development of system models * Antenna modelling using our sophisticated design tools * Participate in the regulatory approval and/or field based design validation * As required, present designs, results and conclusions    * Work as part of a close-knit, multi-disciplinary project team focused on delivering design solutions to our clients     WHAT YOU CAN BRING   We are looking for someone with a degree in a relevant subject, such as engineering, electronics, computer science, mathematics, or physics and currently studying towards a relevant PhD. You’re someone who:    * Has an interest in electronics hardware design and radio frequency design.    * Communicates effectively and enjoys working as part of a team.   * Is passionate about current technology and stays up to date with new developments.    Developing innovative and imaginative solutions requires an inquisitive approach and a willingness to tackle complex problems. You should be keen to learn new skills and open to new approaches. Good oral and written communication skills will be key to interacting effectively within Cambridge Consultants and our clients’ organisations.     Experience with any of the following would be advantageous, though not essential:   * Knowledge of wireless communication systems   * Competence in driving RF test equipment   * Programming with Python * Understanding a Smith chart   Some projects at Cambridge Consultants are subject to security restrictions. This role will require you to obtain a Security Check level security clearance ( https://www.gov.uk/guidance/united-kingdom-security-vetting-applicant ). You must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting according to UK Government National Security Vetting criteria.   Please ensure your CV includes your A Level (or equivalent) subjects and grades, as well as any relevant university modules. Covering statements are advantageous though by no means a necessity.     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By submitting an application to Cambridge Consultants, you confirm that the information provided in this application, together with any supporting documentation, is true, complete, and accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief. You understand that any false statement, misleading information, or material omission may render you liable to disqualification from the recruitment process, withdrawal of any offer of employment, or dismissal without notice if discovered following appointment. You acknowledge that the organisation reserves the right to verify the information supplied. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cambridge Consultants

OVERVIEW This internship focuses on advanced defence and security technology development. The role is suited to a PhD-level researcher with strong technical grounding in software security, cyber technologies, and embedded or distributed systems. This placement can be between 3- and 6-months duration with a flexible start date, and is suitable for PhD students who have completed their first year of study. There is no deadline for this role, as we recruit on a rolling basis. Once the position is filled, we will close the advert. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.   WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING * Contribute to research and development of secure systems across defence and security domains. * Support the creation of novel security technologies, including areas such as threat landscaping, post-quantum cryptography, privacy-enhancing technologies, and trusted execution approaches. * Investigate and prototype embedded and distributed software for constrained, safety-critical, or adversarial environments. * Perform threat analysis, security architecture reviews, and experimental validation of new techniques. * Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams covering software, electronics, RF, AI, autonomy, and communications. * Participate in full lifecycle development activities, including design, implementation, testing, and documentation.   WHAT YOU CAN BRING Current PhD study in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related discipline. You will also have: * A background in software or hardware engineering, with a demonstrable interest in cybersecurity research. * Knowledge of one or more programming languages such as Python, C/C++, Rust, Go, or similar. * The ability to undertake technical investigations and communicate findings clearly. * Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance.   Desirable experience: * Experience in embedded software development or hardware–software interactions. * Experience in security for IoT, robotics, autonomy, or smart infrastructure. * An understanding of regulatory or assurance environments for security-critical systems.   Some projects at Cambridge Consultants are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to obtain a Security Check level security clearance ( https://www.gov.uk/guidance/united-kingdom-security-vetting-applicant ). You must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting according to UK Government National Security Vetting criteria.   WORKING ENVIRONMENT A successful intern will work within the Defence and Security business unit, engaging with experienced engineers and researchers on high‑impact client and internal R&D projects. Work may involve both on‑site and laboratory‑based activities.   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By submitting an application to Cambridge Consultants, you confirm that the information provided in this application, together with any supporting documentation, is true, complete, and accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief. You understand that any false statement, misleading information, or material omission may render you liable to disqualification from the recruitment process, withdrawal of any offer of employment, or dismissal without notice if discovered following appointment. You acknowledge that the organisation reserves the right to verify the information supplied. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cambridge Consultants

DEFENCE & NATIONAL SECURITY RF COMMUNICATIONS LEAD MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB Radio communications is at the heart of much of what Cambridge Consultants does, and in this role you will be joining an established team of commercial and technical leaders working with clients delivering projects into the Defence and National Security sector. In this market we architect a range of both standards based and fully custom radio systems for a wide range of applications including low power long range systems and highly flexible high-performance software defined systems. Our work involves significant collaboration with clients, working together to help innovate the best approach to what can be very challenging requirements. In the early stages of a client engagement, we need to be ambitious and bold, we need to think laterally, apply system design and modelling skills and embrace early experimentation and field measurements, if useful. Overall though, we need to quickly work through the challenges and create a plan to deliver the client the most impactful solution in the most efficient way possible. To do this well, the successful applicant needs to have strong and broad radio communications experience, enjoy spending time client facing, have imagination and most importantly have a strong “can do” attitude and preferably sector experience. You will often work with our account managers to define work programmes and our commercial approach to help win work. You will be able to work on your own initiative and develop programmes of work from early stage to deployed capability. Developing key client relationships and repeat business built on trust is the cornerstone of our commercial approach and your responsibilities will include an important element of client management during project delivery. RESPONSIBILITIES * Be a strong subject matter expert in the field of RF communication systems * Work with our broader team to provide input to bids and delivery of projects * Maintain strong technical relationships with key individuals within client and potential client organisations to enable further sales opportunities * Interact with teams across the whole of Cambridge Consultants to bring the best technology to our clients to solve their problems You will also use your strong technical skills to communicate what Cambridge Consultants can deliver to potential clients. Your background skills will also help you to make a significant contribution to the overall direction of development projects, often working on multiple projects at a time. Our technical team is based in Cambridge and there will be significant travel in the UK. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS This role is for an experienced radio communication system engineer who has a strong understanding of: radio propagation, radio system design, protocol design and radio system implementations. You will play a leading role in a team of technical and advisory colleagues to solve the client’s problem. This is a technical delivery role for somebody with great client facing skills. Your career will already have included significant experience in an R&D or design role. You will probably also have had some exposure to the commercial side of projects. Previous experience of working in a consultancy, government agency or other ‘fee for service’ organisation would be an advantage. To meet the requirements of this role you will have: * Excellent radio engineering skills and experience * A passion for innovative technology solutions and for solving complex problems * An understanding of what’s important to our clients * Experience working with clients in the UK Defence & National Security sector TYPE OF WORK UNDERTAKEN BY BUSINESS UNIT The Defence and Security Business Unit specialises in the design and development of innovative solutions for specific client needs. Often projects start with requirements analysis of complex issues informed by our collective domain knowledge and evolve through technology to develop prototype manufacture and long-term delivery of equipment and services. The projects always incorporate considerable technical challenges. We work across the lifecycle, from research to deployment. Our workforce has broad expertise in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, sensing and data analytics & signal processing as well as radio frequency engineering, analogue electronics, embedded and high-level software development, mechanical design, physics and mathematics so we can and do develop complete systems for clients. Communications – and especially secure communications – are central to what we do. Our teams build bespoke communication systems for a wide range of applications, sometimes based on industry standards and sometimes custom from the ground up. Likewise, radio systems for force protection is a major area, and our experience extends to systems that support people working to defuse Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the field today – and we are working on future solutions to counter ever-changing threats.   WHY CAMBRIDGE CONSULTANTS? Cambridge Consultants creates exciting and novel breakthroughs in technology and products. We help our clients achieve the kind of game-changing leap forward that will transform their whole business. At the heart of what we do are talented and motivated multi-disciplinary teams empowered to create cutting edge technologies and systems to solve difficult problems for our clients. We recognise and celebrate individual talent and we understand the importance of letting individuals be just that. Our people are here to do the best work of their lives and our job is to provide the platform for them to do it.   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By submitting an application to Cambridge Consultants, you confirm that the information provided in this application, together with any supporting documentation, is true, complete, and accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief. You understand that any false statement, misleading information, or material omission may render you liable to disqualification from the recruitment process, withdrawal of any offer of employment, or dismissal without notice if discovered following appointment. You acknowledge that the organisation reserves the right to verify the information supplied. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------