Senior Avionic Systems Engineer - CNS

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.

As a Senior Avionics Systems Engineer, you'll play a key role in developing the Communication, Navigation, Surveillance and Maintenance (CNS/M) systems that enable safe, certifiable and scalable flight.

Working within our Vehicle Systems team, you'll lead the definition, integration and certification of critical avionics systems across our eVTOL aircraft programme. You'll collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, suppliers and flight test teams to deliver robust, safety-critical solutions that meet the highest aviation standards.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of major technical work packages and make a direct impact on one of the most ambitious aerospace programmes in the world.

What You'll Do

• Lead the design, development, integration and certification of aircraft Communication, Navigation, Surveillance and Maintenance systems.

• Own technical work packages from concept through to verification and certification.

• Develop system requirements, architecture descriptions, interface control documents, test procedures and certification artefacts.

• Capture and manage requirements within Vertical's systems engineering environment, ensuring full traceability and compliance.

• Work closely with suppliers and internal engineering teams to deliver integrated avionics solutions.

• Support ground, laboratory and flight test activities, including troubleshooting and system validation.

• Lead verification activities and ensure delivery of high-quality technical documentation.

• Drive continuous improvement and identify opportunities to introduce new technologies and engineering approaches.

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Avionics Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering or a related discipline.

• Significant experience in avionics systems engineering, ideally 8+ years within a regulated aerospace environment.

• Strong knowledge of Communication, Navigation, Surveillance and Maintenance systems.

• Experience delivering systems within civil aircraft certification programmes.

• Familiarity with aviation regulations and certification standards, including EASA and/or FAA frameworks.

• Experience working with ARP4754A, ARP4761 and DO-160.

• Knowledge of avionics communication protocols such as ARINC 429, ARINC 664, CAN and RS-422.

• Experience using systems engineering, modelling and requirements management tools.

• Strong stakeholder management, communication and problem-solving skills.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer status or membership of a recognised professional institution.

• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management tools, ideally 3DEXPERIENCE.

• Experience with MATLAB System Composer.

• Experience using Jama for requirements management.

• Previous experience leading engineering teams or technical workstreams.

• Experience working with safety-critical aerospace systems through certification.

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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 (View email address on jobs.ashbyhq.com)

• 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.