Flight Control Systems Engineer - Future Air Combat Systems

Dstl; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Dstl is looking for a Flight Control Systems Engineer to shape the next generation of UK combat air capabilities. The role involves stakeholder engagement, providing impartial technical advice, and ensuring effective delivery in flight control system development. The position is suited for someone with a degree in a relevant STEM discipline and experience in systems integration.

Benefits

Excellent pension scheme

Flexible working options

Annual leave rising to 30 days after 5 years

Learning and development support

Onsite facilities including parking and gyms

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in relevant STEM discipline required.
• Experience in flight control systems essential.
• Capacity to deliver high-quality technical advice.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with stakeholders and provide high-quality technical advice.
• Identify opportunities and research gaps in aerospace technology.
• Deliver independent technical assurance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Dstl’sAerospace Sciences Teamis seeking an experiencedFlight Control Systems Engineerto help shape the next generation of combat air capability for the UK. This is your chance to directly influence the UK’s cutting-edge FCAS (Future Combat Air System) and GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme) through impartial, high-impact engineering consultancy.

Join our expert team working at the forefront of defence innovation—advising the UK MOD, collaborating with international partners, and engaging with leading aerospace industry players.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Job description

In this role you will:

• Build strong working relationships with stakeholders across government, industry, and international partners involved in FCAS/GCAP.
• Represent Flight Control Systems within multi-disciplinary teams, understanding system-level influences and dependencies.
• Provide high-quality, impartial technical advice to UK MOD, industry partners, and international counterparts.
• Deliver independent technical assurance and challenge to R&D suppliers and industry to ensure the best outcomes for UK Defence.
• Identify opportunities, research gaps, and technical challenges within the evolving aerospace technology landscape.
• Help evolve and sustain Dstl’s capability in flight control systems as part of a team covering aerodynamics, aerospace structures, and integrated systems.

Person specification

Qualifications – Essential

• Degree-level qualification in a relevant STEM discipline (e.g., Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering).

Technical Skills – Essential

• Awareness of systems integration across air platforms.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to deliver high-quality work independently and in teams.
• Skilled in preparing clear technical reports and presentations.
• Confident communicator to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to build effective networks across organisations and sectors.

Experience – Essential

• Demonstrable knowledge in areas relevant to flight control systems such as:
  • Control laws
  • Actuation
  • Hydraulic power systems
  • Sensing systems
  • Control system architecture and integration

Please see the full job description in the candidate pack at the bottom of the page

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Qualifications

A Degree-level qualification in a relevant STEM Discipline. Examples might be Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,900, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £13,586 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Flexible working:Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours:Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work:Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave:25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family:Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development:Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities:Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.