📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Control Systems Engineer
Company: Rolls-Royce
Location: Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
Category: Software Systems
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2025
Experience Level: 2-5 years
Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid (3 days per week)

🚀 Role Summary

Design and develop high-integrity control systems for gas turbines and their ancillaries, ensuring safety and reliability across diverse platforms.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate and validate control systems, aligning with project needs and regulatory standards.
Investigate and resolve issues discovered within the fleet during control system commissioning and service, demonstrating strong problem-solving skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a balance of technical depth and breadth, with a focus on control system architecture, design, and verification. Candidates should be comfortable working in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment and have experience in a regulated industry.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Control System Design & Development: Design and develop gas turbine control systems, including their ancillaries and ship interfaces, ensuring high performance and safety.
Issue Investigation & Resolution: Manage the investigation and resolution of issues discovered within the fleet during control system commissioning and service.
Systems Engineering: Apply systems engineering principles to develop solutions to complex, multi-disciplinary problems encompassing mechanical, electronics, and software.
Collaboration & Integration: Collaborate across diverse engineering disciplines to ensure system integration and architecture align with project needs.
Work Package Management: Perform a range of work packages, including design, validation, and verification, using various methods and tools, accompanied by high-quality technical documentation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Degree qualified in a STEM subject or equivalent experience.

Experience: Proven experience in control system design, system architecture, and system verification within a relevant industry, ideally within a regulated environment.

Required Skills:

Proficiency in control system design, system architecture, and system verification.
Experience with systems engineering tools, robust design methods, and processes.
Knowledge of delivering solutions within a regulated industry or to certification standards.
Strong problem-solving mindset, with attention to detail and the ability to manage tasks through to completion.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organization.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with gas turbine control systems.
Familiarity with defence or aerospace industries.
Knowledge of safety-critical systems and DO-178C or similar standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates with experience in related industries or transferable skills may also be considered. Relevant experience in control system design, system architecture, and verification is essential for this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate a strong understanding of control system design principles through relevant projects or case studies.
Showcase experience in system architecture and verification, highlighting problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Highlight any experience with gas turbine control systems or related industries.

Technical Documentation:

Provide detailed technical documentation for control system design, validation, and verification processes.
Include any relevant certification or compliance documentation, demonstrating an understanding of safety-critical systems and regulatory standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a web portfolio is not explicitly required for this role, candidates should be prepared to discuss their technical expertise and provide relevant examples of their work, focusing on control system design, architecture, and verification.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £35,000 - £50,000 per annum (based on UK market rates for control systems engineers with 2-5 years of experience)

Benefits:

Bonus
Employee Support Assistance
Employee Discounts

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements available.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research for control systems engineers in the UK with 2-5 years of experience. Actual salary may vary depending on individual qualifications, skills, and experience.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defence and Aerospace

Company Size: Large (over 50,000 employees)

Founded: 1884

Team Structure:

The control systems engineering team works collaboratively across diverse engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electronics, and software.
The team is responsible for designing, integrating, and validating control systems for gas turbines and their ancillaries, ensuring safety and reliability across various platforms.
The team works closely with other departments, such as project management, quality assurance, and customer support, to ensure control systems align with project needs and regulatory standards.

Development Methodology:

Rolls-Royce follows a structured, systems engineering approach to control system design, development, and validation.
The company uses advanced tools and simulation models to ensure high-quality, safe, and reliable control systems.
Rolls-Royce is committed to continuous improvement and encourages employees to develop their skills and knowledge through training and development opportunities.

Company Website: https://www.rolls-royce.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Rolls-Royce is a large, global company with a strong focus on innovation, quality, and safety. The company's defence business supports the development and in-service support of control and instrumentation systems across a range of high-impact platforms, making it an exciting place to work for control systems engineers.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Control Systems Engineer Career Level: This role is suitable for engineers with 2-5 years of experience in control system design, architecture, and verification. The role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the defence and aerospace industries.

Reporting Structure: The control systems engineer reports directly to the control systems team leader and works collaboratively with other engineering disciplines, project management, and customer support teams.

Technical Impact: Control systems engineers play a critical role in ensuring the safety and reliability of gas turbine control systems across diverse platforms. Their work directly impacts the performance, safety, and maintainability of these systems, contributing to the success of Rolls-Royce's defence business.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Specialization: Develop expertise in specific control system domains, such as gas turbine control, flight control, or navigation systems.
Leadership Roles: Progress to senior control systems engineer or team leader roles, managing projects and mentoring junior engineers.
Cross-Functional Roles: Pursue opportunities in related fields, such as project management, quality assurance, or customer support, to gain a broader understanding of the business and develop transferable skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Rolls-Royce offers a range of career progression opportunities for control systems engineers, including technical specialization, leadership roles, and cross-functional development. The company's defence business provides an exciting environment for engineers to grow and make a significant impact on high-impact platforms.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (3 days per week on-site)

Office Location(s): Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Workspace Context:

The control systems engineering team works in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment, with access to advanced tools and simulation models.
The team has access to multiple monitors, testing devices, and other resources necessary for control system design, development, and validation.
The team works closely with other departments, such as project management, quality assurance, and customer support, to ensure control systems align with project needs and regulatory standards.

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements available.

📝 Enhancement Note: Rolls-Royce offers a hybrid working arrangement, allowing control systems engineers to balance their time between the office and remote work. The company's Bristol location provides a vibrant and dynamic work environment, with access to advanced tools and resources for control system design and development.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Online Application: Submit your application through the Rolls-Royce careers portal, including your resume, cover letter, and any relevant portfolio materials.
Phone Screen: Participate in a brief phone or video call with a member of the recruitment team to discuss your application and answer any questions you may have.
Technical Assessment: Complete a technical assessment, focusing on control system design, architecture, and verification. This may include written questions, case studies, or practical exercises.
Behavioral Interview: Attend a behavioral interview with the control systems team leader and other members of the team. This interview will focus on your problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment.
Final Interview: Participate in a final interview with the hiring manager to discuss your fit for the role and the team, as well as your long-term career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your experience in control system design, architecture, and verification, using relevant projects or case studies to demonstrate your technical expertise.
Showcase your problem-solving skills and attention to detail, focusing on your ability to manage tasks through to completion and ensure high-quality, safe, and reliable control systems.
Emphasize any experience with gas turbine control systems or related industries, as well as your understanding of safety-critical systems and regulatory standards.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your knowledge of control system design principles, system architecture, and verification processes.
Familiarize yourself with relevant tools and simulation models used in control system design and development.
Prepare for questions related to your experience in a regulated industry and your ability to deliver solutions to certification standards.

ATS Keywords:

Control System Design
System Architecture
System Verification
Systems Engineering
Problem Solving
Attention to Detail
Collaboration
Communication
Gas Turbine Control Systems
Safety-Critical Systems
DO-178C
Regulated Industry
Certification Standards

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for the control systems engineer role at Rolls-Royce is designed to assess candidates' technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience in control system design, architecture, and verification, as well as their understanding of safety-critical systems and regulatory standards.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Control System Design Tools:

MATLAB/Simulink
ETAS INCA
dSPACE
Vector CANoe

Simulation & Modeling Tools:

ANSYS
COMSOL Multiphysics
Simulink Real-Time
Modelica

Programming Languages:

C
C++
Python
JavaScript

Hardware & Platforms:

Gas Turbines (e.g., Trent, RB211, AE 3007)
Shipboard Systems
Avionics Systems

Regulatory Standards & Certification:

DO-178C
DEF STAN 00-56
MIL-STD-498
ISO 26262

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for control systems engineers at Rolls-Royce includes a range of tools, programming languages, and platforms relevant to control system design, development, and verification. Candidates should be familiar with these technologies and have experience using them in a relevant industry.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Rolls-Royce Values:

Safety First
Do the Right Thing
Keep It Simple
Make a Difference

Control Systems Engineering Team Culture:

The control systems engineering team values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
The team works closely with other engineering disciplines, project management, and customer support teams to ensure control systems align with project needs and regulatory standards.
The team encourages open communication, knowledge sharing, and technical mentoring to support the professional development of its members.

Collaboration Style:

The control systems engineering team works collaboratively across diverse engineering disciplines, using a structured, systems engineering approach to control system design, development, and validation.
The team uses advanced tools and simulation models to ensure high-quality, safe, and reliable control systems.
The team encourages open communication, knowledge sharing, and technical mentoring to support the professional development of its members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The control systems engineering team at Rolls-Royce values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. The team works closely with other engineering disciplines, project management, and customer support teams to ensure control systems align with project needs and regulatory standards. The team encourages open communication, knowledge sharing, and technical mentoring to support the professional development of its members.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Design and develop control systems for gas turbines and their ancillaries, ensuring safety and reliability across diverse platforms.
Investigate and resolve issues discovered within the fleet during control system commissioning and service, demonstrating strong problem-solving skills.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate and validate control systems, aligning with project needs and regulatory standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skill Development: Develop expertise in control system design, architecture, and verification, as well as relevant tools, programming languages, and platforms.
Industry Knowledge: Gain a deeper understanding of the defence and aerospace industries, as well as relevant regulatory standards and certification processes.
Leadership & Management Skills: Develop leadership and management skills through mentoring, coaching, and project management opportunities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other engineering disciplines, project management, and customer support teams to gain a broader understanding of the business and develop transferable skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The control systems engineer role at Rolls-Royce presents a range of technical challenges and learning opportunities for engineers with 2-5 years of experience in control system design, architecture, and verification. The role offers the chance to work on high-impact platforms and develop expertise in gas turbine control systems and related industries.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Control System Design: Describe your experience with control system design, architecture, and verification. Provide examples of projects or case studies that demonstrate your technical expertise.
Problem-Solving: Discuss your approach to problem-solving, highlighting your ability to manage tasks through to completion and ensure high-quality, safe, and reliable control systems.
Regulatory Standards: Explain your understanding of safety-critical systems and relevant regulatory standards, such as DO-178C, DEF STAN 00-56, MIL-STD-498, or ISO 26262.

Company & Culture Questions:

Rolls-Royce Values: Describe how you embody Rolls-Royce's values in your work, providing specific examples of how you have demonstrated safety first, done the right thing, kept it simple, and made a difference.
Team Collaboration: Discuss your experience working in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment and how you have contributed to the success of your team and the broader organization.
Continuous Improvement: Explain your approach to continuous improvement, highlighting your commitment to learning, development, and innovation in your role as a control systems engineer.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Technical Expertise: Highlight your experience in control system design, architecture, and verification, using relevant projects or case studies to demonstrate your technical expertise.
Problem-Solving Skills: Showcase your problem-solving skills and attention to detail, focusing on your ability to manage tasks through to completion and ensure high-quality, safe, and reliable control systems.
Regulatory Compliance: Emphasize your understanding of safety-critical systems and relevant regulatory standards, such as DO-178C, DEF STAN 00-56, MIL-STD-498, or ISO 26262.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for the control systems engineer role at Rolls-Royce is designed to assess candidates' technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience in control system design, architecture, and verification, as well as their understanding of safety-critical systems and regulatory standards.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this control systems engineer position at Rolls-Royce:

Submit your application through the Rolls-Royce careers portal, including your resume, cover letter, and any relevant portfolio materials.
Prepare for a brief phone or video call with a member of the recruitment team to discuss your application and answer any questions you may have.
Complete a technical assessment, focusing on control system design, architecture, and verification. This may include written questions, case studies, or practical exercises.
Attend a behavioral interview with the control systems team leader and other members of the team. This interview will focus on your problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment.
Participate in a final interview with the hiring manager to discuss your fit for the role and the team, as well as your long-term career aspirations.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and control systems engineering industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Rolls-Royce before making application decisions.

Control Systems Engineer