Principal Loads & Aeroelastics 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.
What to Expect
As Principal Loads & Aeroelastics Engineer, you will report to the Loads & Dynamics Team Lead, and act as a senior technical authority within the team. You will lead the definition, development and validation of integrated loads and aeroelastic models, with a strong focus on automation and scalable analysis capability.
You will ensure that loads and aeroservoelastic requirements are robustly defined, demonstrated through credible analysis, and supported by clear certification evidence. You will lead model development and integration at aircraft level, provide technical authority within the discipline, and ensure that analysis methods are robust, repeatable, and traceable to certification requirements. While this is not a formal line management role, you will mentor engineers within the Loads & Dynamics discipline and set the technical standard for the team.
What You’ll Do
Lead the development and certification of aircraft loads and aeroelastic models at component and full aircraft level
Deliver the loads and aeroelastic certification strategy, producing robust technical evidence to support compliance
Drive the integration of structural, aerodynamic, and control system models to assess stability and response
Develop automated, repeatable, and traceable analysis workflows to support rapid design iteration and configuration control
Oversee flutter, gust, manoeuvre, and ground loads analysis across the flight envelope
Provide technical mentorship and set engineering best practice within the Loads & Dynamics discipline
Support flight test definition, correlation, and model updating activities
Represent Loads & Aeroelasticity at senior internal technical reviews
What You’ll Bring
10+ years of experience in loads and aeroelasticity
Proven experience working on certified aircraft programmes, including direct involvement in compliance demonstration
Deep understanding of CS-23/27, CS-25/29, or equivalent certification requirements relating to loads, flutter and aeroelastic stability
Strong expertise in industry-standard loads and aeroelastic tools and methods, and the ability to adapt them to novel aircraft configurations
Solid understanding of flight mechanics and flight control systems, particularly in relation to aeroservoelastic behaviour
Ability to produce structured, traceable, and certification-ready analysis
Clear and confident communication when presenting complex technical evidence to multidisciplinary stakeholders
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.