Aircraft Senior Production Manager 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 Senior Aircraft Production Manager is responsible for leading and managing the end-to-end aircraft production process for an eVTOL Type Certification programme and ongoing low-to-high-rate production. This role oversees aircraft and test asset production, production facility set-up and readiness, and the leadership of multidisciplinary production teams, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient delivery of aircraft in line with programme milestones. This role is pivotal in establishing and scaling production capabilities, process optimization, and integration of advanced manufacturing technologies. The ideal candidate will have deep experience in aerospace production environments and a strong understanding of eVTOL-specific challenges.

What You'll Do

• Production Leadership & Strategy: Liaise with other stakeholders to develop and implement the company’s certification aircraft production strategy. Oversee the entire production lifecycle, from component assembly to final aircraft integration. Support long-term production strategy, including workforce growth, facility expansion, and industrialisation planning. Identify operational risks, constraints, and opportunities for improvement, driving corrective actions where required. Provide regular production status, KPI, risk, and recovery reporting to senior leadership. In liaison with the Engineering Test team, manage the build, delivery, & ongoing maintenance of conforming test articles for certification and validation programmes. Coordinate with engineering and testing teams to ensure timely availability of assets.
• Safety, Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure accurate configuration control, build records, and production documentation required for certification evidence. Work closely with Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, and Certification teams to implement robust quality control systems to ensure compliant production attestation. Support audits, conformity inspections, and regulatory engagement. Work with other stakeholders to apply, establish and maintain compliance with a POA as well as other aerospace quality standards (AS9100, Part 21, etc.). Drive improvements in production processes, efficiency, cost, data quality, and standardisation through continuous improvement initiatives. Ensure management of non-conformities, concessions and subsequent process improvements.
• Team Management & Development: Build and manage a high-performing production team, including supervisors and technicians, setting clear objectives, performance expectations, and development plans. Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Operational Coordination: Work closely with engineering, supply chain, quality assurance, and program management teams to build a culture of safety, quality, and accountability across all production operations. Liaise with manufacturing engineering teams to ensure quality work instructions and a suitable delivery system. Ensure seamless integration of design changes into production processes.
• Facility Setup & Management: Liaise with other stakeholders to assist with design, planning, and commissioning of production facilities for low and higher rate production. Ensure compliance with aerospace standards, safety regulations, and environmental requirements. Establish processes, workflows, tooling, and equipment to support scalable production.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, or related field.
• Significant experience in aircraft production, assembly, or manufacturing leadership within an aerospace environment managing multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Proven track record in setting up and scaling production facilities.
• Strong knowledge of eVTOL technologies, electric propulsion systems, and composite structures.
• Expertise in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Preferred

• Familiarity with certification requirements for new aircraft programs.
• Experience with automation and digital manufacturing tools (MES, PLM, ERP systems).
• Experience setting up new production facilities or transitioning from prototype to production environments.
• Project management experience.
• A demonstrated flexible and proactive attitude to carrying out responsibilities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

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.