Senior Technical Programme Manager - Lab Test
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.
We’re looking for a Senior Technical Programme Manager – Test to lead the delivery of our test capability and execution programmes in support of aircraft certification. This is a high-impact role at the centre of engineering, governance, and delivery - where programme discipline meets technical complexity.
If you thrive in regulated environments, understand what it takes to certify aerospace hardware, and know how to bring clarity to cross-functional delivery, this is where you step in.
What you'll do
You will own the integration and coordination of test capability delivery to support Valo certification and entry into service. That means:
Partnering with aircraft system teams to define capability requirements and ensure readiness against programme milestones
Ensuring test hardware availability in close collaboration with procurement and supply chain
Leading the delivery of new test facilities - labs, rigs, and equipment - fully aligned to the Integrated Master Schedule
Consolidating Verification & Validation plans into a robust Master Test Schedule, managing change, variance and emerging priorities
Supporting the Head of Test with cost centre management, forecasting and spend tracking
Driving visibility and accountability using Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence), identifying risks, blockers and critical path threats early
Working with engineering leaders to forecast resource needs and build evidence-based business cases to mitigate delivery risk
What you'll bring
Proven experience delivering complex technical programmes in aerospace, automotive or another safety-critical, high-tech environment
Strong scheduling and planning expertise using Microsoft Project and Atlassian toolsets
Deep understanding of programme governance - risk, change control, reporting, and stakeholder management
Experience managing cost centres, tracking spend, and forecasting in an engineering environment
Clear, confident communicator who can influence senior stakeholders and technical leads alike
Proactive mindset - you surface issues early and drive resolution decisively
Ability to build structured, measurable plans that balance rigour with adaptability
Understanding of data, reporting and business intelligence principles
Degree-qualified in Engineering, Project Management or a related technical discipline
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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 (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.