Control Systems Engineer (Flight Dynamics)

Randstad Digital; Reading; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad Digital seeks an experienced Flight Control & Dynamics Engineer to design, model, and validate flight-critical control laws for unmanned aircraft systems. This role centers on Model-Based Development using MATLAB/Simulink to build high-fidelity 6-DOF models and tune control loops in an agile engineering environment.

You will perform SIL/HIL verification, analyze flight-test data for model correlation, mentor mid-level engineers in control theory, and contribute to client demonstrations.

Qualifications

• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink for high-fidelity flight dynamics models.
• Strong knowledge of control theory (PID, LQR, pole placement, gain scheduling).
• Experience with Model-Based Development and verification methods.

Responsibilities

• 6-DOF Vehicle Modelling in MATLAB/Simulink for flight envelope simulations.
• Design, tune, and optimise flight control laws and trajectory management algorithms.
• Execute SIL and HIL simulations to verify control system stability and performance.
• Analyze telemetry and log data from flight trials to refine models and gains.
• Mentor junior engineers on control theory, Simulink best practices, and flight dynamics.
• Provide technical input for flight control systems development across fixed-wing/rotary/VTOL.
• Assist with security clearance processes and maintain compliance.

Skills

MATLAB/Simulink

Stateflow

Control theory

Model-Based Development

SIL/HIL testing

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

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.