Senior Aircraft Systems Engineer

Our Mission

At Vertical Aerospace, we are pioneering the way for electric aviation. The Valo, our eVTOL (electric, vertical, take-off and landing), 'zero emissions' aircraft will set a new safety standard for how we will navigate the sky.

We won't realise our mission following the same legacy processes and traditions our predecessors followed, instead, we want to 'redefine' aerospace best practices. We are growing quickly from a prototype business to a scaling SME, and the next few years will be critical to our success and delivering on our ambitious goals. Valo is targeting airliner-level safety certification in 2028 ahead of entering service with our airline and operator customers.

What to Expect

We are looking for a highly capable, technically strong, and proactive Senior Aircraft Systems Engineer to help drive the aircraft level development of our VX4 platform through robust systems engineering practices.

In this role, you will play a central part in shaping the integrated aircraft solution, owning key engineering decisions that cut across systems and disciplines. You will be responsible for defining, managing and integrating requirements, architecture, and verification activities at the aircraft level, ensuring that the overall vehicle design is technically coherent, certifiable, and aligned with performance and safety goals.

This is a hands-on role for a systems thinker who thrives in complexity, collaborates across domains and is driven to deliver meaningful impact on the whole aircraft. You’ll work closely with other engineers and technical leads to influence the configuration, validate interfaces, resolve system-level trade-offs and drive integration decisions that ensure the aircraft comes together as a complete, certifiable product.

What You’ll Do

• Own and drive the development of aircraft level requirements, architecture and V&V activities through the full engineering lifecycle.

• Lead the definition, integration, and coordination of cross-system technical solutions to ensure consistent and certifiable aircraft behaviour.

• Contribute to and support system level trade studies, configuration decisions and interface management activities.

• Generate and review compliance evidence in support of regulatory certification (e.g. SC-VTOL), ensuring traceability and completeness.

• Drive Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices using tools.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with other disciplines (e.g. Safety, Structures, Propulsion, Avionics, Software) to ensure coherent technical integration.

• Support planning of aircraft level engineering deliverables, identify blockers and contribute to schedule alignment.

• Provide mentoring and technical guidance to both the their own team and engineers across the company on Systems Engineering best practices.

• Actively participate in any design reviews, programme reviews and compliance reviews.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant engineering discipline.

• Proven leadership experience in a systems engineering context (preferably aircraft-level or similar complex product).

• Strong understanding of aircraft systems and integration challenges.

• Skilled in requirements management, architecture, and verification planning.

• Comfortable working with certification frameworks such as ARP4754B and SC VTOL.

• Track record of successfully guiding teams to achieve ambitious technical objectives and meet tight schedules.

• Strong planning, communication, and prioritisation skills.

• Familiarity with requirement management tools, such as DOORS, Jama or Polarion.

• Understanding of systems engineering principles, including both sides of the ‘V’ and knowledge of ARP4754B.

• Knowledge of aerospace certifying standards, specifically SC VTOL.

• A proactive and solution focused mindset, with a strong sense of ownership and a commitment to team accountability and delivery.

• Awareness of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools, such as System Composer or Enterprise Architect

Desirable Qualifications/Experience:

• Experience in high-level aircraft design.

• Experience in the design of aircraft systems.

• Experience certifying to aerospace standards.

• Experience with the development and testing of aircraft and/or Unmanned Aerial Systems.

• Hands-on experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools, such as System Composer or Enterprise Architect.

What can you expect from us?

We're on a mission. Where others see limits, we see opportunity, and we work at pace. Working at Vertical isn't your average role but for those seeking a challenge, a flexible, supportive organisation and an incredible team; working here is an opportunity to do the best work of your career.

Our approach promotes ingenuity and courage, while our environment builds success through diligence in safety and being open in the way we work. The only way we're going to assure the next chapter of aviation history is by working as a team, relentlessly, towards our goal. 

Our benefits

Our people matter - we're not going anywhere without them. Which is why our company benefits go beyond the essentials.

• 26 days holiday, plus bank holiday

• 5 extra days per year to buy (or sell)

• 5 extra days holiday when you get married or enter a civil partnership

• Additional 4% of your salary to spend on extra benefits

• Award-winning digital health and wellbeing service (Help@Hand)

• Company performance based bonus - rewarding company and individual performance

• Company Share Scheme - open to every Vertical employee

• Company Pension Scheme - 5% and we match it

• Breakfast on us, every day

We may just be the hardest job you've ever had, but we're confident it will be the most rewarding. Join the team today and help us shape the future of Advanced Air Mobility.

Disclaimer Statement

We encourage you to apply even if you may not have all the experience listed in the advert. We recognise that talent comes in various forms and we are committed to providing opportunities that create an environment of growth, diversity, and inclusion for everyone. As part of our desire to review and make our processes fair, we may ask you questions related to these aspects during the application process. For more information on how we will use your data, see our Legal section.