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 This role will serve on the Chief Engineer’s team as a technical leader and integrator responsible for developing and managing the company’s technology and product roadmap, defining aircraft architectures through multi-disciplinary optimisation studies, and delivering aircraft-level conceptual and preliminary design definition for Vertical’s VX4 and derivative products. This position will be at the leading-edge of eVTOL innovation with responsibility for flight system advancements for increasing levels of automation and pilot aids to optimise the energy management of electric and hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft to position Vertical Aircraft as best-in-class for current and future missions. In this role there is a need to be be customer-facing in architecting flight systems and aircraft solutions for dual-use customers of the VX4. This position will include managing the technology roadmap for developing and implementing Data Intelligence and Automation Tools and Methods to optimise process efficiency for development of software-intensive and highly integrated flight systems. The VX4 Product Architect role is vital to Vertical’s mission to certify a VX4 aircraft and subsequent kits, derivatives, and modification that meet stringent safety and performance requirements within an efficient development timescale. This position will be accountable for overall execution of MDO for VX4 and derivative preliminary design phases, including execution to project schedule and cost and technical results integrated at the aircraft level measured against Key Performance Indicators. What You’ll Do Contribute as part of the Chief Engineer’s team, acting as a technical integrator responsible for the company’s technology and product roadmap. Define and manage aircraft architectures through multi-disciplinary optimisation (MDO) studies, delivering aircraft-level conceptual and preliminary design definitions for the VX4 and derivative products. Drive flight system advancements to enable higher levels of automation and pilot assistance, optimising energy management for electric and hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft and positioning Vertical Aerospace as a leader in current and future missions. Collaborate with customers to develop flight systems and aircraft solutions for dual-use applications of the VX4. Coordinate the technology roadmap for the development and implementation of Data Intelligence and Automation Tools and Methods, enhancing process efficiency for software-intensive and highly integrated flight systems. Lead the execution of Multi-Disciplinary Optimisation (MDO) activities across VX4 and derivative preliminary design phases, ensuring delivery to project schedule, cost, and technical objectives measured against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Support the certification of the VX4 aircraft and subsequent kits, derivatives, and modifications, ensuring compliance with rigorous safety and performance requirements within efficient development timescales. What You’ll Bring A degree or equivalent experience in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, or a related technical field. Demonstrated experience in aircraft architecture, systems integration, or conceptual design, ideally within an eVTOL or advanced air mobility context. Strong understanding of flight systems, automation, and energy management for electric or hybrid-electric aircraft. Proven ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and with customer and stakeholder interfaces. Experience developing and applying Data Intelligence and Automation Tools and Methods to improve engineering efficiency and integration. Knowledge of Multi-Disciplinary Optimisation (MDO) and experience managing technical results to defined cost, schedule, and performance metrics. Familiarity with certification processes and safety-critical systems in aerospace development. A structured, analytical, and solution-focused approach that supports innovation, technical excellence, and collaboration. 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.