Principal Systems Engineer

Date Posted:

2026-03-16

Country:

United Kingdom

Location:

Winnersh, Wokingham

Position Role Type:

Hybrid

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.

What You Will Do:

• 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 You Must Have:

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 (e.g. CAN, serial, Ethernet) and working with technical/system/wiring diagrams.

• Experience 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.

What We Can Offer You:

• 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!

Learn More & Apply Now!

Who we are:

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.

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? 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. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge?

Join our mission today!

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. These relate to positions where access to export controlled items, (e.g., 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.

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.  

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