Avionic System Development & Test Engineer in Bristol

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

The Avionics Systems Development / Test Engineer is responsible for planning, executing, and documenting verification and validation (V&V) activities for aircraft avionics and electrical systems. The role ensures that systems meet functional, safety, and regulatory requirements through rigorous testing, analysis, and defect resolution. This position works closely with systems engineers, software engineers, hardware teams, and certification authorities.

What You'll Do

• Test Planning & Strategy
  • Develop detailed test plans, procedures, and test cases for avionics systems at unit, integration, and system levels.
  • Define test environments, simulation needs, and interface requirements for accurate system evaluation.
  • Contribute to verification matrices and requirements traceability (e.g., DOORS).
• Test Execution
  • Perform bench, rig, and in-aircraft testing of avionics, sensors, communication systems, and electrical subsystems.
  • Conduct hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing.
  • Configure and operate specialised test equipment, data acquisition tools, and diagnostic tools.
• Data Analysis & Reporting
  • Analyse test results to identify anomalies, trends, or non-conformances.
  • Document defects, work with cross-functional teams to support root cause analysis, and verify corrective actions.
  • Produce test reports and evidence packages for internal review and external certification.
• Compliance & Certification
  • Ensure tests comply with aviation standards such as:
  • DO-160 (Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures)
  • ARP4754A (Systems Engineering for Aircraft)
  • DO-178C / DO-254 (Software / Hardware Development Assurance)
• Support certification activities with authorities (e.g., EASA, FAA, CAA).

What You'll Bring

• Knowledge of avionics systems such as navigation, communication, flight control, and sensors.
• Experience with aircraft data buses (ARINC 429/664, CAN, MIL-STD-1553).
• Proficiency in interpreting electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and ICDs.
• Familiarity with automated test environments and scripting (e.g., Python, LabVIEW).
• Experience with test rigs, HIL systems, and avionics test equipment.
• Experience in avionics, aerospace systems engineering, or system testing roles.
• Experience working within regulated environments and following V-model development processes.
• BEng / BSc / MEng in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., ISTQB, ARP4754A/DO-178C training) preferred.
• Analytical mindset with strong troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work collaboratively in high-performance engineering teams.
• Attention to detail and a methodical approach to testing.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively.

Desirable:

• Experience with UAM/eVTOL platforms.
• Experience with autonomous systems.
• Cybersecurity testing exposure.
• Knowledge of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Experience with safety assessments (FHA, SSA, FTA).
• Prior involvement in aviation certification programmes (desirable).

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