Advanced Flight Control Systems 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
We're looking for an experienced Advanced Flight Control Systems Engineer to support the development and certification of our Valo aircraft. This role is focused on system-level design, integration, verification and certification of the aircraft's flight control systems. You'll be expected to lead specific engineering activities independently while contributing to larger, more complex work under the guidance of principal engineers. The role includes hands-on development work, supplier oversight, and technical coordination across multiple teams. This is a key position within the flight controls team, with visibility across the full development lifecycle and direct input into certification activities.

What You'll Do

• Participate in the definition, integration, and verification of the Flight Control System, including architecture and interface design
• Author and manage system-level requirements, traceability, validation and verification plans, and test procedures
• Support development assurance activities in accordance with ARP4754B, ARP4761A, and related certification standards
• Lead specific development and verification tasks, including cross-functional coordination to deliver on schedule and to the required standard
• Contribute to certification planning, safety assessments, configuration management, and compliance documentation
• Support principal engineers and the safety team on critical or high-complexity tasks, including fault tree analysis, FMEA, and safety case development
• Oversee the technical work of suppliers and participate in supplier reviews and technical discussions
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines, particularly software, avionics, safety, integration, and simulation team
• Help maintain and improve internal systems engineering processes, ensuring consistency with certification and development standards

What You'll Bring
Solid experience in flight control systems engineering, ideally with exposure to both design and certification phases. Good understanding of the full system development lifecycle, including certification planning, safety, validation, verification, configuration management, and compliance. Working knowledge of ARP4754B and ARP4761A is an asset. Experience leading technical tasks, work packages, or verification campaigns. Comfortable working with suppliers, including reviewing technical deliverables and managing interfaces. Modelling & simulation experience, ideally Matlab/Simulink. Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines and teams.

Desirable Experience
Familiarity with EASA SC.VTOL and its associated Means of Compliance or equivalent practices from transport category aircraft or rotorcraft development. Experience with airborne software and hardware development standards (e.g. DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160G). Previous work on eVTOL, rotorcraft, or high-integrity fixed-wing flight control systems.

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
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.