Prismatic Ltd.
Flight Control Systems Engineer
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Flight Control Systems (FCS) Engineer – Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)
About the Role
Prismatic is a technology development company specialising in the design, manufacture, and delivery of innovative, high-value aerospace products and systems. A subsidiary of BAE Systems, we are led by a technically and commercially focused team. Our cutting-edge systems—such as the high-altitude PHASA-35—combine commercial value, rapid development, and critical customer-centric solutions.
This Flight Control Systems (FCS) Engineer role focuses on the design, development, integration, verification, and validation of flight control laws and architectures for Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), supporting fixed-wing, rotary-wing, or hybrid platforms for both autonomous and remotely piloted aircraft.
You will work through the full V-model lifecycle, from requirements capture to flight testing and certification, ensuring compliance with UK CAA, EASA, and airworthiness standards.
Key Responsibilities
Flight Control Design & Development
- Develop flight control laws (e.g., attitude, rate, navigation, and guidance loops) for UAS platforms.
- Design control architectures for autonomous and remotely piloted operations.
- Support sensor fusion inputs (e.g., IMU, GNSS, air data, vision-based navigation).
- Implement control algorithms in MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent model-based design tools.
Modelling, Simulation & Analysis
- Create and maintain 6-DOF nonlinear aircraft models.
- Conduct stability and control analysis, gain scheduling, and robustness studies.
- Perform Monte Carlo simulations and worst-case analysis.
- Support SIL (Software-in-the-Loop), PIL (Physics-in-the-Loop), and HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) testing activities.
Systems Engineering & Integration
- Translate system-level requirements into control system requirements.
- Interface with avionics, propulsion, mission systems, and ground control teams.
- Support integration of autopilots, flight computers, and actuators.
- Contribute to safety assessments (FHA, FMEA, FTA).
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Verification, Validation & Flight Test
- Define and execute verification and validation plans.
- Support ground testing, iron bird, and flight test campaigns.
- Analyse flight test data and tune control laws accordingly.
- Produce evidence for certification and airworthiness approval.
Compliance & Standards
- Ensure compliance with:
- UK CAA CAP 722 / CAP 1787
- EASA SC-UAS / CS-23 (where applicable)
- Def Stan 00-970 / MAA requirements (for military programmes)
- DO-178C / DO-331 (where applicable)
You will be expected to undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the business.
⚠️ Note: This role involves deployment overseas (up to a maximum of 8 weeks per year), typically in blocks of two weeks.
Requirements
Essential
- Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Control Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Strong understanding of:
- Classical and modern control theory
- Aircraft stability and control
- Flight dynamics
- Hands-on experience with MATLAB/Simulink.
- Experience working with UAS, UAVs, or autonomous systems.
- Familiarity with the V-model development lifecycle.
- Ability to obtain UK security clearance.
Desirable
- Experience with:
- Autopilot platforms (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot, proprietary systems).
- Model-based design and auto-code generation.
- Embedded flight control software.
- HIL rigs and real-time simulation.
- Airworthiness and certification for UAS.
- AI-assisted or adaptive control methods.
- Programming skills in C/C++, Python, or similar.
Tools & Technologies
- MATLAB / Simulink
- Flight simulation environments (e.g., X-Plane, proprietary tools)
- Requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama)
- Configuration management tools (e.g., Git, SVN)
- Real-time hardware and HIL systems (e.g., dSPACE, NI, Speedgoat)
What We Offer
We provide a competitive package and benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing, including:
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Work & Location
- Location: Alton, Hampshire, UK
- Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week (excluding breaks)
- Working model: Hybrid, with flexibility for 3 days in-office per week (norm).
- Salary: £45,000 – £59,000 (dependent on experience).
Financial & Retirement Benefits
- Non-contractual company performance-related bonus.
- 10% company pension contribution, plus salary exchange options for AVCs.
Wellbeing & Lifestyle Perks
- Green Benefits: Access to the Green Car/EV scheme via salary exchange.
- Annual Leave: 25 days + bank holidays (rising to 28 days after 3 years).
- Employee Schemes:
- Eligibility for BAE Systems Share Incentive Scheme
- Company Performance Free Share awards
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Halfords Trade Discount Card
Community & Culture
- Social & employee engagement through Prismatic Pulse.
- Access to Occupational Health support, including an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
How to Apply
To apply, please send your CV and a covering email to jobs@prismaticltd.co.uk, confirming:
- You have the right to work in the UK and can commute to the job location.
- You have been a UK resident for at least 5 years and can meet background checks/security clearance requirements.
- Your salary expectations for the role.
- Your availability or current notice period.
Inclusion & Diversity
Proud to build an inclusive workplace, we value a diverse range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Our work is strengthened by this diversity.
Supporting the Armed Forces Community
We are committed to the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Bronze Award. We actively encourage applications from:
- Veterans
- Reservists
- Partners and families of those in service
If you have served or supported someone in their service, we’d like to hear from you.
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