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.
Key Responsibilities:
* 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.
Qualifications & Experience
* 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.