Control Systems Engineer

Salary: £33,000 - 69,000 per year

Requirements:

• At least 3 years of relevant commercial experience developing control systems for complex electromechanical, optical, aerospace, or robotic systems.
• A degree in Control Engineering, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Practical experience designing, modelling, implementing, and testing control algorithms for dynamic systems.
• Proficiency with modelling and simulation tools such as MATLAB and Simulink, or equivalent platforms.
• Ability to translate system-level requirements into control-system requirements, test cases, and verification activities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose complex system behaviour using test data and simulations.
• Desirable experience developing pointing, acquisition, and tracking systems for optical communications, telescopes, imaging systems, or similar precision applications.
• Knowledge of coarse and fine pointing architectures, including gimbals, reaction wheels, fast steering mirrors, and piezoelectric actuators.
• Experience using real-time simulation and test platforms such as Speedgoat, National Instruments, or equivalent systems.
• Knowledge of model-based design, automatic code generation, and software-in-the-loop testing.
• Experience working within a start-up, research and development, or rapidly evolving engineering environment.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, document, and test control systems for ground and space-based optical terminals.
• Develop and test algorithms for control of coarse and fine pointing systems for optical communication, including electrical motors, fast steering mirrors, adaptive optics, and a range of optical sensors.
• Deliver documentation and provide technical support for the Software team to implement the algorithms.
• Develop and maintain HIL real-time simulations to test control software requirements against simulations.
• Perform trade-off analysis of different control concepts, components, and architectures.
• Maintain pointing budgets and ensure control systems fulfil system requirements.

Technologies:

• Support
• Matlab
• Robotics

More:

We are Archangel Lightworks, a connectivity company building wireless technology to create the space-enabled networks of the future. We are passionate about improving humanitys communications infrastructure and solving some of Earths most critical problems, from economic inclusion to climate change. We offer a fast-paced, supportive start-up environment where you can make your mark as part of a growing team and work on cutting-edge innovation. Our office is based in Osney Mead, Oxford, with the opportunity to work from home as agreed with your line manager. We offer hybrid working options, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, equity options in a growing start-up, training resources and budget to support your growth, a supportive team culture with high ownership and responsibility, regular socials and weekly team lunch, and additional perks such as learning and wellbeing app subscriptions.

last updated 30 week of 2026