Flight Control Systems Engineer

Blue Bear Systems Group Ltd; Oakley; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Saab UK is seeking a Flight Control Systems Engineer to support autonomous systems in Bedfordshire. You will develop, test and deploy safety-critical flight control software for aircraft, using MATLAB/Simulink to create control laws and data-processing algorithms.

Verification will include bespoke simulations and real-world flight testing at our facility near the office. You will contribute to requirements, participate in SOP development, and help drive continuous improvement within a

Qualifications

• Essential: Degree in aerospace engineering or similar.
• Essential: Understanding of aerodynamics and flight mechanics and their impact on flight control.
• Essential: Experience in using MATLAB/Simulink for developing algorithms and control laws.
• Essential: Hands-on experience in designing and commissioning control systems.
• Essential: Existing SC Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and test safety-critical flight control software.
• Contribute to requirements definition and verification using bespoke simulations.
• Deploy software to target hardware and conduct real-world flight testing.
• Prepare reports and presentations of test findings for customers.
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team and contribute to process improvements.

Skills

Flight control systems

MATLAB/Simulink

Autonomy/UAS knowledge

Embedded systems

C/C++/Python

SC clearance

Education

Degree in aerospace engineering or equivalent

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Git

Embedded Coder/Simulink Coder

Job description

Introduction

Saab UK is part of Scandinavia’s largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 600 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training.

What you will be part of

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.

The Role

This role is part of Saab Bluebear Business in Bedfordshire. It will be reporting into the Head of Digital Systems Engineering. In this exciting, dynamic role you will support a mixture of R&D and product development activities within a leading autonomy and unmanned systems company. Blue Bear continuously innovates within the core area of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS/UAV) such as flight management systems, autopilots, mission systems, ground control stations, and all supporting systems and infrastructure.

Your role as a Flight Control Systems Engineer will involve developing, maintaining and testing safety critical software that contribute to the flight systems of our aircraft. You will contribute to requirements definition, and use MATLAB/Simulink tools to generate software such as novel flight control laws and data manipulation algorithms. After verification and validation performed using bespoke simulations, you will then be expected deploy the software on to the target hardware, and conduct real world flight testing at our test facility less than 1km from the office. You may be asked to present the findings of the testing in reports or customer facing presentations.

As well as undertaking technical tasks, you will be expected to take an active role in the team. This will include contribution to the development of standard operating processes, continuous improvement of methods and techniques, and ensuring quality targets are satisfied. Working as part of a team in a multidisciplinary environment you will have good communication skills. A can-do attitude and a genuine passion for innovative technology.

The opportunity will enable the successful candidate to gain knowledge of cutting-edge autonomous systems and offer a large scope for career development.

Qualifications & Skills

• Essential: Degree in aerospace engineering or similar.
• Essential: Understanding of aerodynamics and flight mechanics, and their impact on flight control.
• Essential: Experience in using MATLAB/Simulink for developing algorithms and control laws.
• Essential: Hands-on experience in designing and commissioning control systems.
• Essential: Existing SC Clearance.
• Desirable: Experience designing and implementing guidance, navigation and control algorithms for fixed and/or rotary wing vehicles.
• Desirable: Knowledge of state-of-the-art for sensing systems.
• Desirable: Hands-on experience with small UAS.
• Desirable: Mathworks’ Stateflow, Simulink Coder and Embedded Coder packages.
• Desirable: Experience developing mathematical algorithms e.g. Data fusion, state estimation etc.
• Desirable: Experience working with embedded systems, real-time systems, safety critical systems.
• Desirable: Knowledge of communication systems.
• Desirable: Version control systems e.g. git.
• Desirable: C++, Java, Python development skills.
• Desirable: Experience with quality standards for software (e.g. DO-178, ED-20x).

As a National Security Vetting clearance is required for this role, applicants will be required to hold National Security Vetting clearance to SC level or have the ability to gain it.

By submitting an application to Saab UK you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include but are not limited to: Baseline Personnel Security checks, National Security Vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights and in all circumstances preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview.

At Saab, you'll be empowered to make a real difference. Join colleagues worldwide who share one purpose – keeping people and society safe through innovative defence and security solutions.

What makes that difference possible? You. We're a global leader in air, land and naval defence, civil security and commercial aeronautics, with approximately 28,000 employees across all continents.

Our transformative approach combines deep expertise with continuous innovation – investing one-fifth of our earnings in research and development to solve tomorrow's challenges today. But technology alone doesn't create safety. Your perspective, your skills, your contribution – that's what transforms possibility into reality. Here, diversity strengthens everything we do. You'll find unlimited opportunities to advance your career whilst maintaining balance in your life beyond work. We're committed to creating an inclusive environment where every person can fully focus on what matters.

Saab is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer – all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, colour, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran or disability status.