Aerodynamics 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 airliner-level safety certification in 2028 ahead of entering service with our airline and operator customers.

What to Expect

The Aerodynamics team is responsible for the Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics aspects of the aircraft. As a key part of the Flight Physics team, we interface with every other area at Vertical. Our aerodynamics engineers work performs key analysis to understand both the whole aircraft physics and aerodynamic tasks related to subsystem designs.

What you'll do

As an Aerodynamics engineer you will be working closely with our Senior specialists to support the ongoing prototype and certification programmes. This role focuses on the aerodynamic design, analysis, and testing of propellers, supporting both development and flight operations. You will play a key role in delivering high-quality aerodynamic data, advancing simulation capabilities, and supporting experimental and flight test activities.

• Produce, validate, and deliver airframe and propeller aerodynamic data to cross-functional Integrated Product Teams (IPTs)

• Support experimental testing, including planning, execution, and analysis of wind tunnel campaigns

• Perform steady and unsteady CFD simulations to assess performance and aerodynamic behaviour

• Contribute to the development and refinement of aerodynamic models and methodologies

• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure accurate integration of propeller performance into system-level analyses

• Support Vertical’s flight test activities, including data analysis and interpretation

• Investigate and resolve complex aerodynamic challenges related to propeller and airframe performance

What you'll bring

• Strong understanding of aerodynamic principles, with a focus on propeller and airframe aerodynamics

• Proven experience with steady and unsteady CFD methods for propeller and airframe simulation

• Solid grasp of fluid dynamics and aerodynamic theory

• Ability to interpret experimental data and correlate with computational results

• Highly driven, curious, and engaged in solving complex aerodynamic problems

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail

• Effective communication and collaboration skills

  Highly desirable

  Knowledge of aeroacoustics

  Knowledge of aerodynamic integration of propellers with airframes

  Experience with propeller icing analysis and mitigation

  Experience supporting or participating in flight test campaigns

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.