Principal Engineer

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 our Winnersh site near Reading with flexible/hybrid working , you’ll take systems from first principles through to detailed requirements, test and validation, using Model-Based Systems Engineering and Agile methods.
You’ll collaborate with Collins and Raytheon teams in the UK and internationally, with regular overseas travel for trials and demonstrations , and see your work turn into real-world capability that enhances safety and security.
Turn customer needs into system requirements and architectures, using Model-Based Systems Engineering to drive and verify design decisions.
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. 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.
Ability to work around aircraft, vehicles and test rigs, stand for periods during tests, and handle light test equipment in lab and field conditions.

Deeper expertise in high-fidelity UAS modelling – building and validating 6-DOF digital twin models using flight data, CFD outputs and real-world test results.
Advanced Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) – using models to drive system architecture, CONOPS, requirements capture and verification across complex, multi-domain unmanned systems.
Flight test campaign design & execution – writing flight test protocols, supporting live tuning in the field, and using rapid post-flight analysis tools and scripts to close the loop between model and reality.
Robust communication & human–machine interfaces – defining data links between onboard and ground systems, and shaping human control interfaces for test pilots and multi-UAS operators.
Diagnostics in real environments – systematic fault-finding and repair of complex UAS control, comms and payload systems in both lab and demanding field conditions.
Leadership in a high-end technical team – mentoring junior engineers, growing their modelling, control and systems thinking skills, and sharpening your own customer-facing, risk and compliance (incl. Expert in MATLAB / Simulink, including Stateflow, projects (requirements, version control, data dictionaries, test harnesses) and RTW / code generation for embedded processors.
Hands-on UAV Flight Control Computer (autopilot) / FMS integration and validation, ideally full lifecycle.
Experience defining and implementing onboard data interfaces (e.g. Experience integrating and testing UAS payloads and sensors (EO/IR/EW/LIDAR etc.) and comms/RC/datalink systems, including RF cabling.
Verification, test and analysis skills
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.
Software & technical skills
Proficient in C/C++ for APIs and embedded applications.
Eligible for SC security clearance (or already cleared).
Valid passport and ability to travel internationally without restriction.

Field and flight-test experience
Significant hands-on field engineering for diagnostics and repairs supporting remote multi-UAS deployments.
Familiarity with UAS flight test & deployment regulation, including drafting/submitting Operational Safety Case (OSC) documentation.
Experience as GCS operator and/or UAV safety pilot during single or multi-UAS deployments.
Advanced simulation & networking
Ansys, VR-Forces) for motion display, operator training or multi-asset CONOPS simulations.
Link 16), networks and protocols.
Knowledge of engineering governance and aerospace certification standards (e.g. Some of our competitive benefits package includes:
~ Competitive Salary
~ Company Pension Plan
~ Corporate Health Insurance
~ Flexible working from day one
~25 days annual leave
~ Internal and external training opportunities to promote continuous learning and development
~ Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defence industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.
At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, mission systems for the multi domain. Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day
Collins Aerospace, in accordance with our 'Baseline Security' requirements, will request from candidates evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, and employment and/or education history for up to three years, in relation to certain roles within the business. Technical data, hardware, software, and services subject to international trade control laws and regulations) and Collins IT Systems may apply. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.
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.
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