Principal Flight Dynamics 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: As a Principal Flight Dynamics Engineer, you’ll play a leading role in shaping how our aircraft behaves and performs in flight. You’ll work closely with fellow Flight Dynamics engineers as well as the wider Flight Physics, Flight Test, Flight Control, and Simulation teams to guide the modelling, analysis, and certification of Valo’s flight characteristics throughout the flight envelope. This is a highly collaborative role with real impact on safety, handling qualities, and certification success.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the development of flight dynamics models across the full flight envelope, from hover to cruise.
• Analyse stability, control, and performance using both in-house and industry tools.
• Support or lead the development of flight dynamics analysis toolsets such as system identification and parameter estimation techniques to improve models and support certification.
• Collaborate with flight control, simulation, and test teams to optimise Valo’s design and test strategy.
• Develop and execute the handling qualities certification plan for Valo.
• Mentor junior engineers and review technical work across the team.

What You’ll Bring:

• Strong, proven experience in flight dynamics modelling for fixed-wing aircraft or rotorcraft.
• A background in developing flight dynamics models.
• Experience analysing flight test data and supporting model validation activities.
• Proficiency with tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or similar.
• Solid understanding of aerodynamics, stability, control theory, and system identification.
• Experience working with control laws or flight control systems.
• Familiarity with flight test data analysis and model validation techniques.
• Clear, collaborative communication style and an ability to work across disciplines.
• Experience in an aerospace development or certification environment.
• Degree in aerospace engineering, or a related field.

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.