Advanced Embedded Software Engineer

At Vertical Aerospace, we are pioneering the way for electric aviation. The VX4, 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 of having the VX4 in service by 2030.

What to Expect

As an Advanced Embedded Software Engineer (BMS) at Vertical Aerospace, you will contribute to the design, development, validation, verification, and certification of our next-generation Battery Management System (BMS) software for eVTOL aircraft.

You will work within a collaborative, safety-focused engineering team to deliver high-integrity embedded software operating in a demanding aerospace environment. This role focuses on software development and certification in line with the highest aviation standards.

What You’ll Do

• Develop low-level functions and drivers for embedded software.

• Create unit tests for low-level verification.

• Validate and verify safety-critical software components.

• Review software functionality and documentation in accordance with requirements, specifications, and applicable standards.

• Develop and maintain requirements, design artefacts, documentation, and traceability throughout the lifecycle.

• Produce both high- and low-level software specifications.

• Conduct hands-on testing and debugging at the hardware level when required.

• Develop software compliant with DO-178C standards.

• Follow and contribute to internal software development standards and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Support software integration and validation activities within the aircraft, collaborating closely with hardware engineers and wider project teams.

• Participate in technical design reviews and provide constructive input.

• Track assigned deliverables, assess progress, and communicate outcomes effectively.

• Provide input to software planning and scheduling processes.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Systems, or Computer Engineering (or equivalent experience).

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in embedded C software development for safety-critical systems.

• Familiarity with MISRA C standards and associated practices.

• Knowledge of software development methodologies, processes, and toolchains.

• Experience or knowledge of ARM embedded microcontrollers.

• Experience or knowledge of developing bare-metal operating systems.

• Familiarity with communication protocols such as CAN, Ethernet, SPI, and I²C.

• Experience in low-level driver development.

• Fluent in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable

• Understanding of aerospace certification programs and compliance expectations.

• Experience or awareness of requirements management tools.

• Familiarity with functional safety and certification frameworks such as:

  • DO-178, ISO 26262, IEC 61508 SIL-3 or equivalent requirements

• Working knowledge of Agile or Scrum practices, and tools such as Atlassian Jira, Bitbucket, or other configuration management platforms.

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.