Senior System Engineer - Stability & Control

ABOUT EDGE

At EDGE bold ideas are engineered into technologies that protect, improve and save lives.

Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, EDGE is a leading advanced technology group working at the forefront of defence and emerging technologies. Spanning more than 35 specialised companies and multiple centres of excellence, we are purpose-built to move fast. Free from heavy legacy processes, we give our people the autonomy, accountability, and agility to bring breakthrough technologies from concept to reality.

Based in Abu Dhabi, a globally connected hub at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, EDGE is home to a truly multicultural community where bold ideas thrive, and the future is shaped.

Together, we are shaping the future.

ABOUT THE ROLE

About ADASI

ADASI is the regional leader in autonomous systems and services, dedicated to offering holistic solutions - from the development and production of unmanned systems to joint mission analysis and equipment acquisition. We manufacture, operate, and maintain next-generation autonomous capabilities for air, land, and sea, operating in demanding environments. Headquartered in the UAE, we are committed to advancing the region’s technological edge in defense innovation.

The Systems Engineer - Stability and Control is responsible for the analysis, modeling, design, and validation of flight dynamics, stability and control and related systems for ADASI's Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This role ensures that platform-level control characteristics meet operational, safety, and regulatory requirements. The position is key to defining aerodynamic control effectiveness, handling qualities, and flight safety margins across multiple mission profiles.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Stability & Control Analysis

• Perform longitudinal, lateral and directional stability analyses using linear and non-linear models across various UAV flight regimes.
• Define control surface sizing, actuator response, and control authority based on aerodynamic and mission requirements.
• Evaluate natural modes, handling qualities, and stability margins throughout the flight envelope and all phases of flight

Modeling, Simulation & Control Design

• Develop 6-DOF flight dynamics models using MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools for simulation and control system integration.
• Support the design and tuning of autopilot control laws (e.g., PID, LQR, Gain-Scheduling controllers) to meet stability and performance criteria.
• Integrate aerodynamic and mass properties/data into dynamic models for high-fidelity simulation.

Verification, Testing & Validation

• Define and execute Verification & Validation (V&V) strategies for stability and control requirements through simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and flight test campaigns.
• Analyze flight test data to assess dynamic response, control stability, and trim conditions.
• Support wind tunnel testing, ground testing, and flight testing, including pre- and post-flight predictions and analyses.

System Integration & Interdisciplinary Coordination

• Work closely with aerodynamics, flight controls, avionics, mechanical systems, and software engineering teams to ensure control system integration and compatibility.
• Provide input to airworthiness assessments, safety analysis, and certification documents, including handling qualities evaluations per MIL-F-8785C or similar standards.

Documentation & Compliance

• Prepare and maintain technical documentation including control system models, stability reports, control surface effectiveness data, and compliance matrices.
• Ensure alignment with applicable UAV and aerospace standards, including CS-UAS, MIL-STD-1797, and internal ADASI/EDGE design standards

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Educational Background

• Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering, Flight Mechanics, Control Systems Engineering, or equivalent (REQUIRED)
• Master’s Degree in Flight Dynamics, Control Engineering, or related specialization (PREFERRED)

Professional Experience

• Minimum 10+ years of relevant experience, with at least 5 years focused on flight stability, dynamics, and control systems in aerospace or UAV applications.
• Experience with UAVs, fixed-wing, VTOL, or hybrid platforms is preferred.
• Proficient in:
  • Flight dynamics and control modeling using MATLAB/Simulink, X-Plane, or FlightGear
  • Control system design and tuning (classical and modern control methods)
  • Use of stability and control analysis tools (AVL, XFOIL, Athena Vortex Lattice, or equivalent)

• Demonstrated understanding of:
  • Aerodynamic stability principles
  • Control surface effectiveness and actuator limitations
  • Coupling effects, flutter margins, and flight envelope constraints
• Familiar with:
  • Airworthiness and stability standards (e.g., MIL-F-8785C, MIL-HDBK-1797)
  • CFD and mass property data integration

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• INCOSE ASEP or CSEP - Preferred
• Certification in control systems, UAV dynamics, or flight simulation tools - Advantageous
• AS9100D or ISO 9001 Quality System awareness - Preferred

WHY CHOOSE EDGE

Launched in November 2019, the UAE's EDGE is one of the world's leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly skilled talent to thrive.

At EDGE, the real investment goes beyond compensation. Through our dedicated learning academy and digital learning platforms, employees have access to extensive opportunities to develop new skills, deepen their expertise, and advance their careers. Combined with the freedom to innovate, strong career support, and the opportunity to collaborate with world-class talent from across the globe, EDGE is a place where you can continue to grow, keep learning, and turn ambitious ideas into meaningful outcomes.

Working at EDGE also comes with a package that genuinely reflects how much we value our people. Salaries are highly competitive and tax-free and, depending on your role and seniority, benefits can include family visas, annual flight tickets, medical insurance for you and your dependents, and education allowances for your children.

CANDIDATE PRIVACY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

If you feel your skills, experience and potential are a strong match for a role, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement. We are genuinely interested in what you can bring to EDGE.

Any information you share as part of your EDGE candidate profile or job application will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy regulations.

EDGE is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workforce. We believe every individual deserves to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity, and our employment decisions reflect that. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

As a global organisation, effective collaboration across international teams is central to how we work, so English proficiency is required for all roles unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

Please note that EDGE does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Any resumes in the absence of a formally executed agreement in place will be deemed the property of EDGE, and no placement fees or compensation will be payable in respect of such submissions.