Hill Helicopters
Hill Helicopters
Hill Helicopters
Hill Helicopters

Controls & Instrumentation (C&I) Design & Development Engineer

Job No: HLH26
Location: Stafford

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced Controls & Instrumentation (C&I) Design & Development Engineer to support the design, integration, and testing of advanced rotorcraft systems at a leading UK aerospace OEM. This role plays a key part in the development of next-generation helicopter technologies, contributing directly to both flight test campaigns and ground-based validation activities.

You will be responsible for developing custom instrumentation and control solutions for both prototype and production rotary-wing aircraft, working closely with cross-functional teams including flight test, avionics, mechanical systems, and software engineering.

 

Key Responsibilities:

  • Design and implement instrumentation and control systems to support helicopter development, flight testing, and system integration.
  • Specify and integrate sensors (e.g. rotor load cells, strain gauges, accelerometers, air data sensors) and control components for both airframe and rotor-specific applications.
  • Develop system architectures and detailed design documentation including wiring schematics, interface control documents, and sensor installation drawings.
  • Support the design and integration of helicopter-specific test rigs (e.g. rotor test stands, transmission rigs, avionics integration benches).
  • Configure and maintain flight test instrumentation (FTI) systems, data acquisition systems (DAQ), and telemetry.
  • Ensure all instrumentation and control systems comply with relevant aerospace standards (e.g. EASA CS-27/29, DO-160, DO-254).
  • Provide engineering support during ground runs, hover testing, flight trials, and post-flight data analysis.
  • Interface with suppliers, internal departments, and certification authorities as required.
 

Requirements:

Essential:

  • Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Control Engineering, or a related field.
  • Proven experience in instrumentation and control design within the aerospace or defence sectors, ideally with exposure to rotorcraft.
  • Knowledge of flight test instrumentation, DAQ systems, and integration of measurement equipment in dynamic environments.
  • Familiarity with aerospace electrical systems and communication protocols (e.g., ARINC 429, CAN, Ethernet).
  • Proficiency with CAD and electrical design tools (e.g. AutoCAD Electrical, E3.series, Zuken).
  • Understanding of rotorcraft dynamics and associated control and measurement challenges.

Desirable:

  • Experience with helicopter development or support programmes, including tiltrotor or coaxial rotor configurations.
  • Exposure to real-time simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, or control systems for rotorcraft.
  • Familiarity with software tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW, or Python for data processing and system control.
  • Eligibility for UK security clearance (SC).
 

What We Offer:

  • Work on innovative rotorcraft technologies and participate in high-impact flight test campaigns.
  • Access to advanced testing facilities including rotor test rigs, iron birds, and simulation labs.
  • A dynamic, collaborative environment with opportunities for technical growth and career advancement.
  • Competitive salary and benefits package, including pension scheme, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
Apply Now

Privacy Acknowledgment

Recruitment Privacy Notice

Hill Helicopters is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information.   This privacy notice describes how we collect and use personal information about you during the recruitment process.

What information do we collect?

In connection with your application for work with us, we will collect, store, and use the following categories of personal information about you:

  • The information you have provided to us with your application including your cv or resume
  • Any information you provide to us during an interview
  • Information you provide in relation to your right to work documentation

We may also collect, store and use the following “special categories” of more sensitive personal information:

  • Information about your criminal record
  • Information about your health and any medical condition

We collect this personal information variously from you, the candidate, our employer background checks, your named referees and information from publicly available sources such as the Internet. 

How will we use your personal data?

We will use the personal data that you have provided to assess whether you are suitable for the position for which you have applied.   We also need your personal data to communicate and to enter into an employment agreement with you if you are successful.

We will review your health information if we need to make adjustments to accommodate your condition, either in the recruitment process or in your employment if your application is successful.

We may carry out a criminal records check in order to satisfy ourselves that you have not been convicted of any offence that makes you unsuitable for the role.  We use a third party to conduct this search. 

Who has access to data?

Your information will be shared internally among our senior management team, members of the HR team and other interviewers involved in the recruitment process.

We will not share your data with third parties, unless your application for employment is successful. We may then share your personal data with the referees that you have provided to us and the third party that we use to carry out background and criminal record checks. Those third party providers are required to take appropriate security measures to protect your personal information in line with our policies.

How do we protect data?

We take the security of your data seriously. We have put in place appropriate and adequate technical and physical measures to prevent your personal information from being used or accessed without authority. We limit access to your personal information to those employees and agents who have a legitimate business need to know. We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected data security breach. We will notify you of any suspected breach where we are legally required to do so.

For how long do we keep data?

If your application for employment is unsuccessful, we will hold your data on file for twelve months after the end of the recruitment process. After this period, we will securely destroy your personal information.

If your application for employment is successful, personal data gathered during the recruitment process will be transferred to your personnel file and be kept for the period of your employment and thereafter consistent with our privacy policy.  

Your rights

You can at any time:

  • access and obtain a copy of any of your personal data that we hold;
  • ask us to amend incorrect or incomplete data;

If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact a member of the HR team.


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About Us

We are building a revolutionary, private light helicopter and engine at our design and production centre in Stafford. The Hill HX50 satisfies a long-unfulfilled demand in the aviation market for a modern, stylish and affordable rotary aircraft. Its composite design, interior luxury and advanced powerplant makes supercar styling, performance and comfort available to helicopter buyers for the first time. The aircraft and engine are all British designed and built in Hill’s own factory. By eliminating expensive supply chains, Hill is dramatically reducing the cost of helicopter ownership and operation. The biofuel-ready engine and cellulose biowaste fuel solution introduce a commercially and technically achievable path to net-zero in general aviation. Reflecting the gap in the market that it fills, the response to the Hill helicopter has exceeded all expectations. HX50 has become the world’s fastest selling helicopter -- redefining the general aviation market globally.