Flight Test Safety 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.

Vertical Aerospace is developing the next generation of electric aircraft. As part of our Flight Test (FT) organisation, we are looking for a Flight Test Safety Manager to support and deputise for the company’s Safety Manager and ensure our flight test activities are conducted safely, rigorously, and in line with certification expectations. This is a high‑responsibility role at the centre of our safety function, working across teams to manage risk, investigate occurrences, and support the continued development of our Safety Management System (SMS).

What to Expect

You will play a key role in maintaining and evolving our safety processes across flight test activities. Acting as deputy to the Safety Manager, you’ll be involved in hazard identification, risk management, and safety governance – helping ensure we meet the highest standards as we progress towards certification.

What you’ll do

• Deputise for the VA Safety Manager when required
• Represent Flight Test at key forums, including:

• Safety Review Boards
• Occurrence Report Review Boards

• Leading Aircraft‑level Hazard Assessment Working Groups
• Conducting occurrence investigations
• Developing and managing risk assessment processes and documentation

• Hazard identification, risk assessment, mitigation, and closure
• Monitoring and tracking safety actions
• Maintaining safety documentation and processes

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s degree or higher‑level qualification.
• Safety Management experience within an Aerospace environment, civilian or defence.
• Strong understanding of safety management principles (hazard identification, risk assessment, mitigation)
• Experience supporting or operating within a Safety Management System (SMS)
• Ability to lead or contribute to investigations and safety reviews
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence across teams
• Structured, detail‑oriented approach to managing risk and documentation

Nice to have

• Previous Flight test experience either as a Flight test pilot or Engineer preferable but not critical
• Completion of a recognised training course delivered by a Test Pilot School
• Appropriate Air Safety Management Training
• Familiarity with aerospace safety standards and regulatory frameworks

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

• 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.