Senior Powertrain Quality & Lifecycle 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.

Vertical Aerospace is developing the next generation of electric aircraft. Our Powertrain team is at the heart of that effort - responsible for delivering safe, certifiable high-voltage systems that perform reliably from development through to entry into service and beyond.

We’re looking for a Senior Powertrain Quality & Lifecycle Engineer to take ownership of quality across the full product lifecycle, using data and structured engineering approaches to drive performance, reliability, and continuous improvement.

What to expect

This role sits at the intersection of engineering, quality, and data.

You’ll be responsible for ensuring that our powertrain systems meet the highest standards - not just at design and test, but through launch and into real-world operation. You’ll use data and engineering insight to move us from reactive issue resolution to predictive diagnostics, helping us identify and prevent problems before they occur.

This is a high-impact role where you’ll work across teams, influence decision-making, and help shape how we deliver quality at scale.

What you’ll do

Forward Quality

• Own and drive DFMEA processes and metrics across Powertrain

• Ensure risks are identified early and effectively managed

• Lead governance and drive closure of key quality actions

Engineering Quality

• Own and manage Powertrain quality activities using structured methodologies (e.g. Six Sigma)

• Deliver training and support to engineering teams

• Lead cross-functional task forces to resolve technical issues

Launch, Field & Warranty

• Lead resolution of in-service and field issues

• Establish and drive warranty and recovery processes across Powertrain and suppliers

• Work closely with Commercial and Legal teams on warranty-related activities

Data & Analytics

• Develop Powertrain quality analytics capability

• Deliver regular reporting and insights to stakeholders

• Enable predictive diagnostics using product and field data

Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Lead technical reviews, supplier meetings, and internal forums

• Track actions and ensure accountability and closure

• Capture lessons learned and feed improvements into future programmes

What you’ll bring

• Strong experience in quality and engineering within electrified systems (automotive, aerospace, or similar)

• Proven experience managing product quality across the full lifecycle (development → launch → field)

• Hands-on experience with DFMEA, root cause analysis, and structured problem solving (e.g. 8D, Six Sigma)

• Understanding of powertrain systems (batteries, motors, inverters, HV systems)

• Experience working with data to identify trends and improve product performance

• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority

• Strong communication skills, including stakeholder and executive-level reporting

Nice to have

• Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt

• Experience with warranty, field quality, or reliability engineering

• Familiarity with certification and regulated environments

• Experience working with suppliers and external partners

#LI-OS1

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.