Flight Systems Engineer

Senior / Principal Control Systems Engineer - UAS Flight Control & Precision Pointing

UK | SC Clearance Required

We are seeking an experienced Control Systems Engineer to lead the development of advanced flight control laws and precision pointing algorithms for next-generation UAS platforms. This role goes beyond PID tuning—you will architect robust, high‑performance control strategies for demanding, high‑dynamic missions.

• Design and implement advanced flight control laws (LQR/LQG, Robust, Adaptive, MPC) for autonomous flight from take‑off to landing.
• Develop high‑precision sensor pointing and gimbal stabilisation algorithms for EO/IR ISR payloads.
• Build and validate high‑fidelity 6‑DOF aircraft models, accounting for disturbances, latency, and structural dynamics.
• Define handling qualities, stability margins, and safety envelopes.
• Transition algorithms from simulation to flight‑ready code, supporting HIL testing and flight‑test campaigns.
• Lead control strategy in the UK and mentor engineers on complex dynamical systems.
• Ensure rigorous verification & validation, including degraded and failure modes.

• 8+ years (Senior) or 12+ years (Principal) in flight dynamics and control within UAS or aerospace.
• Deep expertise in classical and modern control theory.
• Experience with gimbal servo loops, jitter compensation, and LOS stabilisation.
• Strong modelling and simulation capability; flight‑test data analysis experience.
• Degree in Control Theory, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
• UK national eligible for SC Clearance.