Advanced Flight Controls Engineer

Our Mission

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 Flight Control Laws Engineer, you will join a close-knit and agile team within the Digital & Flight Systems squad. Your primary focus will be developing the 'brains' of our fully electric VX4 aircraft, working closely with our partner Honeywell to ensure optimal safety, performance, and environmental robustness.

A typical day could range from managing Flight Control Laws requirements using tools like Jama, developing simulation tools in MATLAB and Simulink, to interfacing with multiple teams across Vertical to understand and manage complex stakeholder requirements.

The ability to leverage your skills across diverse challenges, apply critical thinking, and make robust decisions will be key to your success in this role.

What you'll do

• You will manage Flight Control Laws requirements, including defining new system-level requirements to EARS standard or equivalent.

• You will organize and link requirements, aiding in the definition of validation and verification methods.

• You will lead simulation activities, developing tools in MATLAB and working extensively with Simulink.

• You will apply model-based design principles and best practices in your work.

• You will interface with multiple teams across Vertical, demonstrating excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• You will contribute to the development of Flight Control Laws from requirements definition through simulation, flight testing, and validation.

What you'll bring

• BS in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with at least 6 years of aerospace experience. OR

• MS/PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science with at least 4 years of aerospace experience.

• Good knowledge of Control Theory (classical and modern).

• Competence with MATLAB and Simulink.

• Competence with requirements management tools such as DOORs or Jama.

• Experience with aircraft Flight Control Laws design, validation, or verification.

• Strong understanding of aircraft flight dynamics and systems engineering.

• Highly-motivated with excellent critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Desired but not essential

• Experience with Certification and Flight Test processes.

• Deep understanding of model-based design methodologies.

• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, collaborative environment.

• Passion for innovative electric aviation technologies.

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 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.