Junior Aircraft Manufacturing 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.
The Opportunity
As a Graduate Aircraft Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll join our Manufacturing Engineering team at our Kemble Flight Test Centre.
This is not a “shadow and observe” graduate role.
You’ll be embedded in live build activity, helping design and optimise the pre-production aircraft line before full-rate manufacturing begins.
You’ll see, first-hand, how factory design decisions impact:
Safety
Quality
Build efficiency
Cycle time
You’ll contribute to the industrialisation of one of the most advanced aircraft programmes in development today.
What You’ll Be Working On
From day one, you’ll support the design and optimisation of our aircraft production system by:
Assisting in production line layout design and optimisation
Creating and updating factory layouts using CAD tools
Supporting tooling definition, installation and validation
Developing material flow and logistics solutions
Analysing build processes to identify bottlenecks
Supporting cycle time and efficiency improvements
Coordinating readiness activities for key aircraft build milestones
Contributing to facilities and small capital improvement projects
This is hands-on manufacturing engineering in a live aerospace environment — not theory, not simulation, not coursework.
What You’ll Gain
Within your first year, you’ll build experience in:
Aircraft industrialisation and production system design
Facilities planning and tooling integration
Lean and structured problem-solving in aerospace
Cross-functional collaboration with operations, supply chain and quality
Real-world build challenges in a regulated industry
You’ll gain exposure many engineers don’t see until much later in their careers.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for graduates who want responsibility early and are motivated by tangible impact.
You should have:
This role is primarily aimed at students graduating in Summer 2026, however, we will also consider 2025 graduatesA degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain or related discipline
Strong analytical and structured problem-solving ability
Interest in production system design and industrialisation
Confidence working on-site in a fast-paced build environment
A collaborative mindset and clear communication skills
Curiosity, resilience and drive
Experience with CAD tools (CATIA beneficial) is helpful but not essential.
We care more about mindset and potential than polish.
Why Join Vertical?
At Vertical Aerospace, you’ll:
Work on one of the most critical technologies enabling zero-emissions flight
Gain exposure across the full product lifecycle — concept through industrialisation
Receive structured development and mentorship
Experience certification-driven manufacturing in aerospace
Be part of a scaling engineering team shaping the future of aviation
If you want to help build the systems that power electric flight — this is your opportunity.
Our 4 Step Application Process
Apply with your CV inclusive of a short cover letter at the top of your CV answering the below in no more than 200 words per question:
Why Vertical interests you?
A project you’re proud of (please make this as relevant as possible to the role you are applying to. Specify your role, learnings, outcome.
How you’ve applied engineering principles outside academia
How you stay organised in time-critical projects
If successful, you will be invited to attend a 30-minute video screening interview with one of our talent partners where you will be asked a mixture of technical and behaviours
If successful, you will be asked to complete a short take-home technical exercise. All instructions will be shared at this stage
If you are successful following step 3, you will be invited to the final stage - an onsite group assessment exercise and technical interview in our central Bristol office.
We’ll keep you informed throughout the process.
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.