Control and Autonomy Engineer

Control and Autonomy Engineer

Full-Time 28800 - 48000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Van Arendonk Makelaardij

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and develop cutting-edge autonomy solutions for military aviation systems.
  • Company: Join QinetiQ, a leader in defence technology and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holidays, and health benefits.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of aviation with advanced technologies and a diverse team.
  • Qualifications: Degree in STEM and experience in C/C++ programming required.
  • Other info: Hybrid working options and exciting career growth opportunities await you.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 ÂŁ per year.

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting‑edge defence technology to ground‑breaking innovations, our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Control & Autonomy Engineer at our Farnborough site, where you’ll work with advanced technologies alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry.

The Role

As a Control & Autonomy Engineer, you’ll play a key role in designing, developing and delivering autonomy solutions that support complex military aviation systems, helping shape the future of crewed and uncrewed operations. Day‑to‑day, you’ll take ownership of technical work packages, contribute to research and development activities, and support the integration and testing of autonomy and control technologies from concept through to live trials.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

  • Applying systems engineering principles to the development of control and autonomy solutions
  • Leading or contributing to algorithm development for autonomous and decision‑support systems
  • Developing production‑level autonomy software using C, ideally C++, with exposure to Matlab
  • Analysing and modelling uncrewed systems within synthetic environments
  • Supporting hardware integration, testing and formally assessed trials in the UK and overseas
  • Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external partners to deliver operational capability

Essential Experience Of The Control & Autonomy Engineer:

  • Strong experience applying systems engineering principles
  • Proven C programming experience, ideally C++, within complex or safety‑critical systems
  • Background in control, autonomy or complex software‑based systems
  • Experience with modelling, simulation or algorithm development

Essential Qualifications For The Control & Autonomy Engineer:

  • Degree in a STEM discipline such as Engineering, Physics or Applied Mathematics

This role is full time (37 hours per week) based at Farnborough. Hybrid working patterns are available. Travel to other QinetiQ and customer sites, including trial locations in the UK and overseas, will be expected.

At our Farnborough site exciting work takes place at our state‑of‑the‑art facility, with high‑energy laser technologies, our 5 m pressurised wind tunnel which has a simulation capability that is unique in the UK and our large research and development projects is a real hub of creativity, research and innovation.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges. As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey.

Our Benefits:

  • Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
  • Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
  • Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
  • Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
  • Volunteering Opportunities – helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

Control and Autonomy Engineer employer: Van Arendonk Makelaardij

At QinetiQ, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Control and Autonomy Engineer role at our state-of-the-art Farnborough site. Our vibrant work culture fosters innovation and collaboration among diverse teams, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer competitive benefits, including a matched pension scheme, generous holiday allowance, and health plans, all while contributing to meaningful projects that shape the future of defence technology.
Van Arendonk Makelaardij

Contact Detail:

Van Arendonk Makelaardij Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Control and Autonomy Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at QinetiQ on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Make sure you can talk confidently about C/C++ programming and systems engineering principles, as these are key for the Control and Autonomy Engineer role.

✨Tip Number 3

Show your passion for innovation! During interviews, share examples of how you've tackled complex problems or contributed to projects that align with QinetiQ's mission. They love candidates who think outside the box.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the QinetiQ team.

We think you need these skills to ace Control and Autonomy Engineer

Systems Engineering Principles
C Programming
C++ Programming
Matlab
Algorithm Development
Autonomous Systems
Decision-Support Systems
Modelling and Simulation
Hardware Integration
Testing and Trials
Collaboration with Multidisciplinary Teams
Complex Software-Based Systems
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Control and Autonomy Engineer role. Highlight your experience with systems engineering, C/C++ programming, and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in autonomy solutions.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background aligns with QinetiQ's mission. Don’t forget to mention your willingness to learn and adapt!

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Be specific about your technical skills in your application. Mention any experience you have with algorithm development, modelling, or simulation, as these are key aspects of the role. The more detail, the better!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining the QinetiQ team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Van Arendonk Makelaardij

✨Know Your Tech

Make sure you brush up on your C and C++ programming skills, as well as any experience you have with Matlab. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied these languages, especially in complex or safety-critical systems.

✨Systems Engineering Principles

Familiarise yourself with systems engineering principles and be prepared to explain how you've applied them in past roles. Think of examples where you've contributed to algorithm development or worked on autonomy solutions.

✨Showcase Collaboration Skills

Since the role involves working with multidisciplinary teams, come prepared with examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others. Highlight any experiences where you’ve worked alongside external partners or contributed to team projects.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s current projects or future innovations in control and autonomy. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to their mission.

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