Senior Supplier Quality 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 2029 ahead of entering service with our airline and operator customers.

What to expect This is an opportunity to help shape and grow a high-performing supplier quality function at a pivotal stage of our journey. As Senior Supplier Quality Manager, you will play a key role in developing how we work with our suppliers, establishing clear, effective standards, and building processes that support sustainable growth and innovation. This role goes beyond day-to-day quality management. You’ll contribute to defining ways of working, influencing direction, and partnering with suppliers to build a resilient, collaborative, and future-ready supply chain. You will report directly to our VP of Procurement & Supply Chain, with a functional reporting line to the Director of Quality. This is a hands‑on leadership role, combining delivery with the opportunity to help shape the systems, standards, and processes that will support Vertical’s transition from development into production and service.

What you’ll do:

• Contribute to and implement supplier quality strategy aligned to business growth, certification, and industrialisation goals
• Develop and continuously improve supplier quality processes, governance, and standards, including performance management and risk mitigation
• Build strong, effective ways of working across suppliers, engineering, operations, and procurement teams
• Support supplier development activities, working collaboratively to improve capability, maturity, and performance across the network
• Monitor and improve supplier quality performance, using data and insights to guide continuous improvement
• Build trusted relationships with internal stakeholders and key suppliers, acting as a visible and approachable quality partner
• Identify and manage risk, supporting proactive quality planning and early issue detection
• Help ensure processes, tools, and governance evolve as the organisation grows and production scales

What you’ll bring:

• Degree in engineering (or similar) preferred; equivalent practical experience also valued
• Strong experience in supplier quality within aerospace (ideally around 10 years), with familiarity with standards such as AS9100 (or AS13100) and Part 21G and/or J
• Experience supporting supplier audits, development, and continuous improvement, including use of problem‑solving methods such as 8D, 5 Whys, and PFMEA
• Experience working with suppliers on new product introduction / industrialisation, alongside the ability to interpret engineering drawings and understand manufacturing processes
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build relationships, contribute to team development, and adapt in a fast‑paced environment
• Willingness to travel globally (~25%), primarily within Europe with some further travel as required

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

Disclaimer Statement 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.