Senior Aircraft Systems Engineer

Senior Aircraft Systems Engineer

Vertical Aerospace

Bristol, United Kingdom

What to Expect

We are looking for a highly capable, technically strong, and proactive Senior Aircraft Systems Engineer to help drive the aircraft level development of our VX4 platform through robust systems engineering practices.

In this role, you will play a central part in shaping the integrated aircraft solution, owning key engineering decisions that cut across systems and disciplines. You will be responsible for defining, managing and integrating requirements, architecture, and verification activities at the aircraft level, ensuring that the overall vehicle design is technically coherent, certifiable, and aligned with performance and safety goals.

This is a hands-on role for a systems thinker who thrives in complexity, collaborates across domains and is driven to deliver meaningful impact on the whole aircraft. You’ll work closely with other engineers and technical leads to influence the configuration, validate interfaces, resolve system-level trade-offs and drive integration decisions that ensure the aircraft comes together as a complete, certifiable product.

What You’ll Do

• Own and drive the development of aircraft level requirements, architecture and V&V activities through the full engineering lifecycle.
• Lead the definition, integration, and coordination of cross-system technical solutions to ensure consistent and certifiable aircraft behaviour.
• Contribute to and support system level trade studies, configuration decisions and interface management activities.
• Generate and review compliance evidence in support of regulatory certification (e.g. SC-VTOL), ensuring traceability and completeness.
• Drive Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices using tools.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with other disciplines (e.g. Safety, Structures, Propulsion, Avionics, Software) to ensure coherent technical integration.
• Support planning of aircraft level engineering deliverables, identify blockers and contribute to schedule alignment.
• Provide mentoring and technical guidance to both the their own team and engineers across the company on Systems Engineering best practices.
• Actively participate in any design reviews, programme reviews and compliance reviews.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Proven leadership experience in a systems engineering context (preferably aircraft-level or similar complex product).
• Strong understanding of aircraft systems and integration challenges.
• Skilled in requirements management, architecture, and verification planning.
• Comfortable working with certification frameworks such as ARP4754B and SC VTOL.
• Track record of successfully guiding teams to achieve ambitious technical objectives and meet tight schedules.
• Strong planning, communication, and prioritisation skills.
• Familiarity with requirement management tools, such as DOORS, Jama or Polarion.
• Understanding of systems engineering principles, including both sides of the ‘V’ and knowledge of ARP4754B.
• Knowledge of aerospace certifying standards, specifically SC VTOL.
• A proactive and solution focused mindset, with a strong sense of ownership and a commitment to team accountability and delivery.
• Awareness of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools, such as System Composer or Enterprise Architect

Desirable Qualifications/Experience

• Experience in high-level aircraft design.
• Experience in the design of aircraft systems.
• Experience certifying to aerospace standards.
• Experience with the development and testing of aircraft and/or Unmanned Aerial Systems.
• Hands-on experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools, such as System Composer or Enterprise Architect.