Flight Controls Engineer

Flight Controls Engineer

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Piper Maddox

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Develop and refine flight control laws for a cutting-edge electric aircraft.
  • Company: Exciting UK-based aerospace company pioneering electric aviation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and direct involvement in flight testing.
  • Why this job: Join a small team making a real impact in the future of aviation.
  • Qualifications: Experience in flight controls and strong knowledge of control theory.
  • Other info: Opportunity to work on innovative projects in a dynamic environment.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

We're supporting a well-backed, UK-based aerospace company developing a piloted, fully electric aircraft with vertical capability. Following successful crewed flight testing, the team is now preparing for the next phase of development, including the maiden flight of their production aircraft. As part of this, they’re looking to bring in a Flight Control Engineer to take ownership of control law development across the platform. This is a hands-on role sitting at the centre of aircraft performance and stability — focused on hover, transition and forward flight control for a manned aircraft operating in a flight test-led environment.

What you’ll be working on:

  • Development and refinement of flight control laws across hover, transition and forward flight
  • Stabilisation and control logic for a piloted eVTOL aircraft
  • Model-based design and controller tuning (MATLAB / Simulink)
  • SIL / PIL / HIL validation ahead of flight testing
  • Supporting flight test campaigns, including data analysis and iteration
  • Working closely with systems, propulsion, structures and avionics teams
  • Contributing to certification-aligned development processes

What they’re looking for:

  • Experience in flight controls, GNC or control systems within aerospace
  • Background in eVTOL, UAV, rotorcraft or fixed-wing aircraft
  • Strong grounding in control theory and model-based development
  • Experience with MATLAB / Simulink
  • Exposure to embedded systems and flight control integration
  • Familiarity with certification frameworks (e.g. DO-178, DO-160, DO-254)

This is a genuinely high-impact role within a small, focused team — offering real ownership of a safety-critical domain and direct involvement in flight testing at a pivotal stage of the programme. If you’d be open to a conversation, feel free to drop me a message or apply directly.

Flight Controls Engineer employer: Piper Maddox

Join a pioneering UK-based aerospace company at the forefront of developing a fully electric aircraft with vertical capability. As a Flight Controls Engineer, you'll thrive in a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises employee growth and offers hands-on experience in a high-impact role. With a focus on safety-critical domains and direct involvement in flight testing, this position provides unique opportunities to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in aviation technology.
Piper Maddox

Contact Detail:

Piper Maddox Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Flight Controls Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the aerospace industry, especially those working on eVTOL or flight controls. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that job descriptions just can't.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you've got experience with MATLAB or Simulink, make sure to highlight that in conversations. Bring examples of your work to demonstrate your expertise in control law development.

✨Tip Number 3

Get involved in relevant projects or forums. Whether it's online communities or local meetups, being active in discussions about flight controls or eVTOL tech can help you stay updated and make valuable connections.

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the team.

We think you need these skills to ace Flight Controls Engineer

Flight Control Development
Control Law Development
Stabilisation and Control Logic
Model-Based Design
Controller Tuning
MATLAB
Simulink
SIL Validation
PIL Validation
HIL Validation
Data Analysis
Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams
Certification Frameworks (e.g. DO-178, DO-160, DO-254)
Experience in eVTOL, UAV, Rotorcraft or Fixed-Wing Aircraft
Control Theory

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Flight Controls Engineer role. Highlight your experience in flight controls, GNC, or control systems, and don’t forget to mention any work with eVTOL or UAVs. We want to see how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!

Showcase Your Skills: When writing your application, showcase your skills in MATLAB and Simulink. If you’ve got experience with model-based design or controller tuning, let us know! This is a hands-on role, so we want to see your technical prowess shine through.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and concise. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. Make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our awesome team at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at Piper Maddox

✨Know Your Flight Control Theory

Brush up on your control theory fundamentals before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you’ve applied these principles in past projects, especially in relation to eVTOL or UAV systems. This will show your depth of knowledge and passion for the field.

✨Showcase Your Technical Skills

Make sure to highlight your experience with MATLAB and Simulink during the interview. Prepare specific examples of how you've used these tools for model-based design and controller tuning. This will demonstrate your hands-on capabilities and technical expertise.

✨Understand the Certification Frameworks

Familiarise yourself with relevant certification frameworks like DO-178 and DO-160. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve navigated these processes in previous roles, as this knowledge is crucial for a safety-critical position in aerospace.

✨Prepare for Team Collaboration Questions

Since this role involves working closely with various teams, think about examples that showcase your teamwork skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve collaborated with systems, propulsion, or avionics teams in the past, and how you can contribute to a cohesive team environment.

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