Junior Digital Manufacturing Engineer

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 air‑liner‑level safety certification in 2028 ahead of entering service with our airline and operator customers. Our mission statement is not a legal requirement, but we are committed to a safe environment for all.

Please note we are only able to consider British Nationals, or individuals who have indefinite right to work in the UK. We are unable to consider anyone who will require sponsorship once their graduate visa expires.

The Opportunity

As a Graduate Digital Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll work across our Aircraft and Battery Manufacturing Engineering teams, collaborating directly with senior engineers and digital specialists. You’ll see your work translate from:

• CAD model
• digital build simulation
• shop floor execution
• aircraft moving through the production line

Your time will be split between:

• Central Bristol Headquarters
• Vertical Energy Centre (Avonmouth)
• Flight Test Centre (Kemble)

You’ll understand both the digital and physical impact of your work. This is not a back‑office data role. This is digital systems embedded in live aerospace production.

What You’ll Do

From day one, you’ll help turn engineering design intent into manufacturing reality. You will:

• Support the transformation of Engineering BOM (EBOM) into Manufacturing BOM (MBOM) and Bill of Process
• Develop and maintain digital manufacturing data in platforms such as 3DEXPERIENCE (DELMIA)
• Contribute to end‑to‑end process definition including sequencing, tooling, part allocation and resource planning
• Support virtual builds to test manufacturability before physical assembly begins
• Help ensure shop floor systems (MES/MoM) are aligned with accurate digital data
• Assist with change management so engineering updates flow correctly into production systems
• Improve data quality, traceability and integration across PLM, ERP and manufacturing platforms

This is systems thinking applied to real aircraft production.

What You’ll Gain

Within your first year, you’ll build experience in:

• Digital manufacturing within a regulated aerospace environment
• PLM, ERP and MES system integration
• Configuration control and traceability
• Aircraft and battery production processes
• Cross‑functional collaboration between engineering and operations

You’ll develop both technical capability and commercial awareness — understanding how digital accuracy directly impacts safety, quality and certification.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for graduates who want responsibility early and are motivated by solving complex system challenges. You should have:

• This role is primarily aimed at students graduating in Summer 2026, however, we will also consider 2025 graduates
• A degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, Data or a related discipline
• Strong analytical thinking and comfort working with structured data
• Interest in how digital tools drive physical production
• Attention to detail and a systems mindset
• Confidence collaborating across technical teams
• Curiosity and willingness to learn in a fast‑paced environment

You don’t need to be an expert in 3DEXPERIENCE or PLM systems — but awareness or strong interest helps. Mindset matters more than polish.

Why This Role Is Different

You’ll join during a major digital transformation phase, where:

• Engineering data must translate accurately into production
• Digital build simulations validate real‑world manufacturability
• Configuration control supports certification
• Systems integration directly impacts aircraft build

This is exposure that’s rare at graduate level — especially in aerospace.

Why Join Vertical?

At Vertical Aerospace, you’ll:

• Work at the intersection of digital systems and aircraft production
• Gain exposure across aircraft and battery manufacturing
• Experience digital transformation in a regulated industry
• Build skills that are highly transferable across advanced manufacturing sectors
• Contribute to scaling zero‑emissions aviation

If you want to build the systems that enable the future of sustainable flight — this is your opportunity.

Our 4 Step Application Process

Apply with your CV inclusive of a short cover letter at the top of your CV answering the below in no more than 200 words per question:

• Why Vertical interests you?
• A project you’re proud of (please make this as relevant as possible to the role you are applying to. Specify your role, learnings, outcome.)
• How you’ve applied engineering principles outside academia
• How you stay organised in time‑critical projects

If successful, you will be invited to attend a 30‑minute video screening interview with one of our talent partners where you will be asked a mixture of technical and behaviours. If successful, you will be asked to complete a short take‑home technical exercise. All instructions will be shared at this stage. If you are successful following step 3, you will be invited to the final stage - an onsite group assessment exercise and technical interview in our central Bristol office.

We’ll keep you informed throughout the process.

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.