At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and validate flight-critical control laws for next-gen Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
- Company: Leading aerospace company focused on innovative flight dynamics solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for mentorship and hands-on flight trials.
- Why this job: Join a cutting-edge team and shape the future of autonomous flight technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in MATLAB/Simulink and strong understanding of control theory required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Flight Control & Dynamics Engineer to design, model, and validate flight-critical control laws for next-generation Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). This role is centered on Model-Based Development (MBD). You will be responsible for taking aerodynamic and physical vehicle parameters and building high-fidelity 6-DOF simulation models, tuning control loops, and running synthetic verification tests. You will work within an agile engineering environment, translating mission requirements into robust control algorithms.
Key Responsibilities
- 6-DOF Vehicle Modelling: Build, update, and maintain high-fidelity 6-DOF flight dynamics models in MATLAB/Simulink to simulate aircraft performance across the flight envelope.
- Control Law Development: Design, tune, and optimise flight control laws (inner and outer loop) and trajectory management algorithms for autonomous airborne platforms.
- Model-Based Verification: Execute Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulations to verify control system stability and performance against target specifications.
- Flight Test Analysis: Analyze telemetry and log data from flight trials to perform system identification, validate models against real-world data, and refine control gains.
- Technical Mentorship: Provide technical guidance to mid-level and junior engineers on control theory, Simulink best practices, and flight dynamics.
- Expert MATLAB / Simulink / Stateflow: Proven track record using Simulink as your primary daily engineering tool for complex control system design and simulation.
- Flight Control Systems: Deep understanding of classical and modern control theory (e.g., PID, LQR, pole placement, gain scheduling) applied directly to fixed-wing, rotary, or VTOL aircraft.
- Flight Dynamics & System ID: Hands-on experience with 6-DOF aerodynamic modelling, aircraft flight mechanics, and analysing flight test data for model correlation.
- UK Security Clearance: Must hold active UK SC clearance or be eligible and willing to undergo UK MoD security vetting.
Desirable (Non-Essential)
- Exposure to embedded targets, C/C++ autocode generation (Embedded Coder / Simulink Coder), or CAN/Ethernet data interfaces.
- Familiarity with aerospace safety frameworks or failure analysis (FMEA / Functional Safety).
- Willingness to support occasional on-site flight trials and client demonstrations.
Control Systems Engineer (Flight Dynamics) in Reading employer: Randstad Digital
Randstad Digital is an excellent employer for Senior Android Engineers, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a focus on employee growth, the company provides opportunities for professional development and exposure to cutting-edge technologies, including AI-assisted coding tools. Located in the United Kingdom, Randstad Digital values its team members by promoting a healthy work-life balance and a supportive environment that encourages creativity and high-impact contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Control Systems Engineer (Flight Dynamics) in Reading
✨Get Involved in Control Systems Communities
Dive into control systems forums and relevant LinkedIn groups to showcase your expertise. Engage in discussions, answer questions, and share your knowledge—this can help us get noticed by potential employers looking for someone just like you!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Join conferences or workshops specifically tailored to control systems engineering, like the IEEE conference. These events are goldmines for networking with industry leaders and might just lead us to that perfect role at Randstad Digital.
✨Get Practical Experience Through Projects
Start or contribute to projects that highlight your control systems skills. Whether it’s a simulated environment or real-world application, having tangible results will give us a huge edge when chatting with Randstad Digital.
✨Choose Job Boards Wisely
Focus on niche job boards that specialise in engineering roles. Channels like Engineers.co or similar can help ensure that we’re not only applying to random jobs but targeting positions that align perfectly with our control systems engineering skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Control Systems Engineer (Flight Dynamics) in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Technical Skills:When applying for the Control Systems Engineer (Flight Dynamics) role, make sure to showcase your technical expertise in control systems. Be specific about the software and programming languages you’ve worked with—mention anything from MATLAB to PLC programming. This will help us see your proficiency in the tools that are essential for the job.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the engineering world, numbers speak volumes! Use your CV to quantify your achievements—whether it’s a percentage improvement in system efficiency or successful project completions under budget. This will not only make your application stand out but also showcase your problem-solving capabilities to us.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t hesitate to get personal in your cover letter! Talk about why you’re passionate about control systems engineering and how your previous experiences have prepared you for this role at Randstad Digital. We want to see your genuine interest and motivation to contribute to our projects.
Professional Documentation:For a full-time role, ensure that your application documents are professional and well-structured. Include a clear CV format and cover letter that highlights key projects or systems you've worked on. Don’t forget to mention any relevant certifications or training that would make you a valuable addition to us at Randstad Digital.
How to prepare for a job interview at Randstad Digital
✨Brush Up on Control Systems Concepts
Make sure we're up to speed with control systems theory—think stability analysis, PID tuning, and state-space representation. Revising these fundamentals will help us answer technical questions more confidently and demonstrate our expertise during the interview.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Simulation Tools
Get hands-on with popular simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink or LabVIEW. A lot of interviews might include technical assessments or practical tasks to gauge our understanding of system modelling and control design using these tools, so being proficient could really set us apart.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
We should expect scenario-based questions where we'll have to solve real-world control system challenges. Practising how to approach problems logically and articulately will help us show our analytical thinking to the interviewer at Randstad Digital.
✨Show Your Passion for Engineering
As this role is full-time, it's crucial we convey our genuine enthusiasm for control systems engineering. Sharing personal projects or experiences where we tackled interesting engineering tasks can illustrate our commitment and eagerness to contribute to the team at Randstad Digital.
