Staff Principal Systems Engineer

Collins Aerospace; Winnersh; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Generous Employer Contribution Pension Scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking an experienced Unmanned Systems Modelling & Control Engineer at its Winnersh location. The role involves leading a team, developing control algorithms, and ensuring system integration. Candidates should possess strong expertise in MATLAB/Simulink, UAV integration, and resilient navigation. The position offers competitive pay, extensive benefits including 25 days annual leave and a supportive workplace culture focusing on career growth.

Qualifications

• Expert in MATLAB/Simulink for designing and validating 6-DOF models.
• Hands-on experience with UAV Flight Control integration.
• Proficient in creating guidance and navigation algorithms.
• Experience in test design tied to 6-DOF models and experimental testing.
• Leadership experience in unmanned system architecture design.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the modelling & control discipline for unmanned systems.
• Transform customer needs into system requirements and architectures.
• Develop high-fidelity models and critical control algorithms.
• Build and run integrated simulation environments.
• Plan and participate in flight tests and integration.
• Analyze flight/test data and resolve engineering issues.

Skills

MATLAB/Simulink

UAV Flight Control Computer integration

Control algorithms

Data analysis tools

C/C++ programming

Communication interfaces (CAN, serial, Ethernet)

Job description

Position Overview

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is recruiting an experienced Unmanned Systems Modelling & Control Engineer to lead and mentor a growing team working on autonomy and unmanned systems across air, land and maritime domains. Based at Winnersh near Reading with flexible/hybrid working, you’ll take systems from first principles through to detailed requirements, testing and validation, using Model‑Based Systems Engineering and Agile methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead the modelling & control discipline for unmanned systems, acting as technical leader and mentor for a growing team.
• Turn customer needs into system requirements and architectures, using Model‑Based Systems Engineering to drive and verify design decisions.
• Develop high‑fidelity 6‑DOF models and flight‑critical control/autonomy algorithms (guidance, mission tasking, GNSS‑denied navigation, payload/sensor/comms models).
• Build and run integrated simulation and HIL/"Iron Bird" environments, bringing together models, control laws and embedded code for V&V and system integration.
• Implement and integrate control & autonomy code on embedded systems, defining data links, comms interfaces and human control interfaces for operators.
• Plan, support and participate in flight tests, trials and demonstrations, including live tuning and simulation‑backed test scenarios.
• Analyse flight/test data and resolve issues, using rapid analysis tools for debugging and fault‑finding in lab and field environments.
• Own technical quality, risk and compliance, including work with export‑controlled technologies (e.g. US ITAR).

Travel & Work Environment

• Regular UK and occasional international travel for trials, integration and customer demonstrations.
• Mix of office, lab, hangar and outdoor test range work, including time at remote or secure sites during campaigns.

Qualifications & Experience

• Strong UAS Modelling & Control Background – Expert in MATLAB/Simulink, including Stateflow, projects (requirements, version control, data dictionaries, test harnesses) and RTW/code generation for embedded processors; proven experience designing and validating 6‑DOF dynamic models and simulation model test harnesses.
• Unmanned Systems & Avionics Integration Experience – Hands‑on UAV Flight Control Computer (autopilot) / FMS integration and validation, ideally full lifecycle; experience defining and implementing onboard data interfaces (CAN, serial, Ethernet) and working with technical/system/wiring diagrams; integrating and testing UAS payloads and sensors (EO/IR/EW/LIDAR, etc.) and comms/RC/datalink systems, including RF cabling.
• Control, Navigation and A‑PNT Expertise – Demonstrable experience with A‑PNT sensor sources for stabilisation and control; proven ability to create and deploy GNSS‑denied / contested resilient guidance and navigation algorithms.
• Verification, Test and Analysis Skills – Proficient in SIL/HIL test design and execution tied to 6‑DOF models and Iron Bird/bench test setups; strong in test data processing and automated analysis scripts, and experimental flight testing including in‑flight control tuning and basic flight dynamics system ID; significant experience with FMEA/FHA and implementation of redundancy and safety architectures for unmanned systems.
• Systems Architecture & Leadership – Experience designing complex unmanned control system architectures from base requirements and CONOPS, including flight‑critical information pathways; modelling & simulation team leadership/management experience and a clear willingness to train and mentor more junior engineers.
• Software & Technical Skills – Proficient in C/C++ for APIs and embedded applications; familiarity with CFD outputs and their application to 6‑DOF models.
• Soft Skills & Eligibility – Strong team player with solid customer/stakeholder‑facing presence; able to maintain cohesion under pressure; eligible for SC security clearance (or already cleared); valid passport and ability to travel internationally without restriction.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and benefits package
• 25 days annual leave, plus public holidays plus the option to buy/sell up to 5 days per year
• Generous Employer Contribution Pension Scheme with 2:1 matched contributions up to 10%
• Private Medical Insurance
• Health & Wellbeing Cash Plan (dental/optical/therapy/chiropody/health screening)
• Life Assurance & Group Income protection scheme participation
• Employee Discounts & Flexible Benefits platform
• Support with professional fees
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Employee recognition schemes
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• and so much more!

EEO Statement

RTX adheres to the principles of equal employment. All qualified applications will be given careful consideration without regard to ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.