Control Systems Engineer - Test Rigs

Safran; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran Actuation Systems UK is seeking a Control Systems Engineer - Test Rigs to join our Wolverhampton site. You will design, develop, commission and support aerospace test rigs, delivering real-time control solutions and robust hardware/software integration.

You will work with multidisciplinary teams across development and qualification activities, applying LabVIEW, PLCs, Beckhoff, TwinCAT and EtherCAT to validate high‑tech hydraulic and electro‑mechanical systems in a regulated aerospace

Qualifications

• Essential: Experience as a Control Systems Engineer in aerospace or a highly regulated engineering environment.
• Essential: Strong knowledge of industrial automation, real-time control systems and test equipment.
• Essential: Experience with LabVIEW, NI platforms, PLCs, Beckhoff, TwinCAT and EtherCAT.
• Understanding of hydraulic systems, instrumentation, sensor integration and closed-loop control systems.
• Ability to diagnose faults, interpret electrical schematics and deliver practical engineering solutions.
• Desirable: Experience supporting both new equipment development and legacy system improvements.
• Desirable: Exposure to aerospace testing, HIL systems, motion control or functional safety applications.
• Desirable: Degree qualified (or equivalent experience) in Control Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering or related discipline

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, commission and support advanced aerospace test rigs and related equipment.
• Develop real-time control solutions and integrate hardware/software.
• Provide technical expertise to ensure test facilities operate safely, reliably and efficiently.

Skills

Control Systems

Aerospace experience

Real-time control

Diagnostics

Regulated environment

Education

Degree in Control or Electrical Engineering

Tools

LabVIEW

NI platforms

PLCs

Beckhoff

TwinCAT

EtherCAT

NI TestStand

Job description

• Experience as a Control Systems Engineer within aerospace or another highly regulated engineering environment - Essential
• Strong knowledge of industrial automation, real-time control systems and test equipment - Essential
• Experience with technologies such as LabVIEW, National Instruments platforms, PLCs, Beckhoff, TwinCAT and EtherCAT - Essential
• Understanding of hydraulic systems, instrumentation, sensor integration and closed-loop control systems - Essential
• Ability to diagnose faults, interpret electrical schematics and deliver practical engineering solutions - Essential
• Experience supporting both new equipment development and legacy system improvements - Desirable
• Exposure to aerospace testing, HIL systems, motion control or functional safety applications - Desirable
• Degree qualified (or equivalent experience) in Control Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering or a related discipline - Desirable

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Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets. Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's ''World's Best Companies 2025'' ranking. Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space.

Control Systems Engineer - Test Rigs Wolverhampton | Site Based Skills: Control Systems, LabVIEW, PLC, Beckhoff, TwinCAT, EtherCAT, NI TestStand, Hydraulic Systems, Data Acquisition, HMI, Automation, Aerospace Testing

About Safran Actuation Systems UK Safran Actuation Systems UK is a world-class centre for the design, manufacture and support of actuation and flight-control solutions used across commercial, military and rotary-wing platforms. With major sites in Wolverhampton and Banbury, our teams play a critical role in delivering innovative, reliable and safe systems that keep aircraft performing at their best.

As part of our Engineering team, we're looking for a Control Systems Engineer - Test Rigs to join us at our Wolverhampton site. This is an exciting opportunity to work on advanced aerospace test equipment, supporting both the development of new test capabilities and the continuous improvement of existing systems that validate some of the industry's most sophisticated hydraulic, electro-mechanical and actuation technologies.

Your Role As a Control Systems Engineer - Test Rigs, you will play a key role in the design, development, commissioning and ongoing support of advanced aerospace test rigs and associated equipment. Working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, you'll develop real-time control solutions, integrate hardware and software systems, and provide technical expertise to ensure test facilities operate safely, reliably and efficiently. You'll be involved across the full lifecycle of test equipment, from concept and integration through to troubleshooting, upgrades and continuous improvement. Whether developing new control architectures, supporting critical test activities or solving complex technical issues, you'll have a direct impact on the validation of world-class aerospace systems.