Principal Engineer | Head Of Engineering 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. Valo is targeting airliner-level safety certification in 2029 ahead of entering service with our airline and operator customers.

You will lead the definition, development, validation and certification support of aircraft loads and aeroelastic models, with a strong focus on model integrity, automation and scalable analysis capability. You will be responsible for ensuring that loads and aeroelastic requirements are robustly defined, demonstrated through credible analysis and supported by clear certification evidence. Working at aircraft level, you will drive the integration of structures, aerodynamics and control systems, ensuring that analysis methods are technically robust, repeatable and traceable throughout the aircraft development lifecycle. A key aspect of the role is ownership and development of aircraft-level modelling capability, including reduced-order structural models used to support loads, aeroelasticity and certification activities. You will play a leading role in model validation, correlation and continuous improvement, ensuring models remain representative as aircraft designs evolve. While this is not a formal line management role, you will mentor engineers within the Loads & Dynamics discipline, set technical standards and help shape the future direction of the function.

What You'll Do

• Lead the development, validation and certification support of aircraft loads and aeroelastic models at component and full aircraft level
• Own and develop aircraft-level modelling capability, including reduced-order and global finite element models used for loads and aeroelastic analysis
• Deliver loads and aeroelastic certification activities, producing robust technical evidence and compliance documentation
• Drive integration of structural, aerodynamic and control system models to assess aircraft stability and dynamic response
• Develop automated, repeatable and traceable analysis workflows to support rapid design iteration and configuration control
• Oversee flutter, whirl flutter, gust, manoeuvre, fatigue and ground loads analysis across the flight envelope
• Lead model validation and correlation activities using higher-fidelity models, Ground Vibration Test (GVT) data and flight test data
• Support flight test definition, flutter clearance activities, model updating and certification campaigns
• Provide technical mentorship and establish engineering best practice within Loads & Dynamics
• Represent Loads & Aeroelasticity at senior technical reviews and cross-functional programme reviews

What You'll Bring

• 10+ years of experience in loads, aeroelasticity and structural dynamics
• Proven experience working on certified aircraft programmes, including direct involvement in compliance demonstration activities
• Strong expertise in aircraft loads, aeroelasticity, flutter, aeroelasticity and dynamic response analysis
• Experience developing, maintaining, validating or correlating aircraft-level finite element models and reduced-order models
• Strong understanding of CS-23/25/27/29 or equivalent certification requirements relating to loads, flutter and aeroelastic stability
• Experience supporting Ground Vibration Testing (GVT), Flight Flutter Testing (FFT) and model correlation activities
• Strong knowledge of flight mechanics and flight control systems, particularly in relation to aeroelastic behaviour
• Experience using industry-standard tools such as MSC Nastran, MATLAB and Python
• Ability to produce structured, traceable and certification-ready analysis and technical documentation
• Clear and confident communication when presenting complex technical evidence to multidisciplinary stakeholders

Desirable

• Experience with eVTOL, distributed propulsion or novel aircraft configurations
• Experience with model reduction, super elements and structural dynamics correlation techniques
• Experience interacting with certification authorities such as EASA, CAA or FAA
• Experience with ZAERO, Nastran or equivalent aeroelastic toolsets

What can you expect from us?

• 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. 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.