Senior Powertrain Systems Engineering & Test Manager

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 navigate the sky.
We will not realise our mission by following legacy processes and traditions — instead, we are redefining 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 to delivering on our ambitious goal of having the VX4 in service by 2030.

What to Expect

As the Senior Powertrain Systems Engineering & Test Manager, you will collaborate with Powertrain functional leaders to deliver all Powertrain Systems Engineering and Integration activities across the total aircraft product, as well as the complete Powertrain System Testing programme.

You will ensure the Powertrain unit subsystems are seamlessly integrated into a total Powertrain system, verified against defined test procedures, and delivered to the highest safety and quality standards.

This position also oversees all Powertrain system test activities, specifications, and plans - including in-house and outsourced test facilities and tools - ensuring alignment with overall programme and certification requirements.

What You’ll Do

Budget & Resource Management

• Collaborate with Finance to define and secure budgets required to deliver programme objectives.

• Track and manage spending against approved budgets, escalating variances and developing recovery plans where necessary.

• Identify and coordinate resource requirements across engineering, procurement, operations, and support functions.

• Support the Category Manager with contractual change management.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Maintain a Powertrain System risk and issue register, ensuring risks are mitigated and issues resolved promptly.

• Support certification planning, test activity scheduling, and compliance demonstration across the total aircraft product.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Powertrain leadership to align system deliverables with programme goals.

• Facilitate cross-functional resolution of issues impacting quality, schedule, cost, or technical performance.

Systems Engineering

• Translate aircraft-level Powertrain requirements into system and component-level deliverables.

• Create and maintain the Powertrain System Product Design Specification for the life of each programme.

Powertrain Systems Testing

• Define and deliver comprehensive Powertrain System testing regimes.

• Develop and manage all test specifications, plans, and reports.

• Deliver required Powertrain System test facilities through both in-house and outsourced approaches.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Define and maintain system-level KPIs and metrics covering quality, cost, schedule, maturity, and risk.

• Provide clear, concise reporting to senior leadership on progress, risks, and key decisions.

• Ensure effective communication channels and escalation processes are maintained.

Governance & Administration

• Organise and lead Powertrain programme reviews, internal meetings, and supplier reviews.

• Oversee action tracking, ensuring accountability and timely closure.

• Capture lessons learned from development, testing, and certification phases, feeding improvements into ongoing and future programmes.

What You’ll Bring

• Experience in Powertrain Engineering and E-Mobility, with project or technical engineering management experience in aerospace, automotive, or related high-technology sectors.

• Demonstrated success managing complex programmes from development through certification and entry into service.

• Strong understanding of aerospace lifecycles, certification processes, and configuration management.

• Experience with supplier management, contract negotiation, and cross-functional leadership.

• Proficiency in scheduling and project management tools.

• Effective leadership and collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with sound decision-making and risk management skills.

• Clear and confident communication, including stakeholder engagement and executive-level reporting.

• Ability to balance strategic objectives with day-to-day programme execution.

• Highly organised and consistent in delivering commitments.

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.