UAV Flight Control Systems Engineer – Autonomy & Testing

SAAB; Newport Pagnell; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Saab UK is seeking a Flight Control Systems Engineer to join the Blue Bear team in Bedfordshire. You will develop, maintain and test safety‑critical software for flight control systems, contribute to requirements, and use MATLAB/Simulink to generate control laws and data processing algorithms.

Real‑world flight testing at our nearby facility is part of the role. You will deploy software to target hardware, analyse test results, and contribute to continuous improvement of methods, processes and

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and test safety-critical software that contributes to flight systems.
• Contribute to requirements definition and use MATLAB/Simulink to generate algorithms and control laws.
• Deploy software to target hardware and conduct real-world flight testing at the test facility near the office.
• Present findings in reports or customer-facing presentations.
• Contribute to SOP development, continuous improvement of methods and techniques, and ensure quality targets are met.
• Work in a multidisciplinary team with good communication and a proactive attitude.

Skills

MATLAB/Simulink

Control systems

C++, Java, Python

Embedded/RTOS

State estimation

Data fusion

Git

Safety-critical

SC clearance

Education

Degree in aerospace engineering

Tools

Stateflow

Simulink Coder

Embedded Coder

Job description

Saab UK is seeking a Flight Control Systems Engineer to join the Blue Bear team in Bedfordshire. You will develop, maintain and test safety‑critical software for flight control systems, contribute to requirements, and use MATLAB/Simulink to generate control laws and data processing algorithms.

Real‑world flight testing at our nearby facility is part of the role. You will deploy software to target hardware, analyse test results, and contribute to continuous improvement of methods, processes and