Lead Systems Engineer

ZeroAvia, Inc.; England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ZeroAvia, Inc. is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to drive architecture, requirements engineering and IVVQ across hydrogen-electric propulsion programmes.

You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams to deliver certifiable, zero-emission aviation technology, while maintaining hands-on involvement and technical leadership across architecture, interfaces, and verification activities. The role requires a degree in aerospace/electrical/mechanical engineering (Master’s preferred) and 8+ years of

Qualifications

• 8+ years aerospace systems engineering on certified aircraft or propulsion programmes.
• Strong technical leadership in architecture, requirements, and verification/validation.
• Deep knowledge of ARP4754B, with DO-178C/DO-254/DO-160G qualification processes.
• Experience managing suppliers; familiar with complex development programmes.
• Master’s degree preferred in a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering across architecture, requirements, integration, verification, validation, and qualification (IVVQ).
• Develop and maintain system architectures, interfaces, configuration items, and end-to-end requirements traceability.
• Own verification and qualification planning, approving test strategies and compliance evidence.
• Provide technical leadership to internal teams, suppliers, and customers, including requirements flow-down and test witnessing.
• Collaborate with certification, safety, and airworthiness teams to support certified product development per ARP4754B/ARP4761.

Skills

System architecture

Requirements engineering

IVVQ

Technical leadership

Propulsion systems

Education

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Polarion

Job description

ZeroAvia is at the forefront of the transition to zero-emission flight, developing pioneering hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for both civil and defence aerospace applications. As the world's only Design Organization Approved company dedicated exclusively to hydrogen-electric aviation, we have achieved major flight test and regulatory milestones with the UK CAA and FAA, while securing more than 3,000 pre-orders from airlines, OEMs, and defence customers worldwide.

We are seeking an experienced Lead Systems Engineer to play a key role in the development and certification of ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric propulsion systems. Contributing to technical leadership and direction across architecture, requirements engineering, and IVVQ activities, you will remain hands on whilst coordinating multidisciplinary teams to ensure the successful delivery of safe, compliant, and certifiable zero-emission aviation technology.

Requirements

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities across architecture, requirements, integration, verification, validation, and qualification (IVVQ), ensuring delivery of compliant lifecycle data.
• Develop and maintain system architectures, interfaces, configuration items, and end-to-end requirements traceability.
• Own verification and qualification planning, approving test strategies, specifications, results, and compliance evidence.
• Provide technical leadership to internal teams, suppliers, and customers, including requirements flow-down, test witnessing, and acceptance activities.
• Collaborate with certification, safety, and airworthiness teams to support certified product development in accordance with ARP4754B and ARP4761/A.

Experience & Qualifications

• Degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline (Master’s preferred).
• 8+ years’ aerospace systems engineering experience on certified aircraft or propulsion programmes within an OEM or equivalent environment.
• Strong technical leadership experience, with proven capability in system architecture, requirements engineering, and system-level verification & validation.
• Deep knowledge of ARP4754B, with working understanding of ARP4761/A, DO-178C, DO-254, and DO-160G qualification processes.
• Experience managing suppliers and complex development programmes; familiarity with Polarion (or equivalent) and propulsion, power, flight control, or emerging aerospace technologies is advantageous.

Benefits

Why Join Us?

We want to help you be your best self, at work and at home, that’s why we provide our employees with…

• Private health and dental care – get access to services and support when you need them. Add your family members too.
• Mental health support – enjoy a culture where positive mental health is front of mind with our trained Mental Health First Aiders, Employee Assistance Programmes and wellbeing support.
• Free lunch and healthy snacks – keeping you fuelled up so you can help us deliver the technology of the future
• Sports, games and culture clubs – connect and keep fit with other ZeroAvians by joining one of our clubs – such as, running, cycling, padel, trivia, theatre and gardening.

We also offer:

• Stock options – so you can share in our success.
• 25 days holiday, plus public holidays and additional days awarded for long service – to help you manage your work-life balance.
• Free EV Charging and membership in our EV Club.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes for EV Club, Curry's Tech and Cycle to Work
• Weekly Spot Bonuses to reward excellence.
• Income Protection and Legal Support for peace of mind.
• Relocation Support to make your move seamless.

Diversity and Inclusion

As an emergent company shaping the aviation industry, we know that diversity fuels success and unlocks potential. We embrace being an equal-opportunity employer and actively seek individuals from diverse backgrounds. We value the multitude of skills, perspectives, and mindsets everyone can bring to the table. These experiences ignite creativity, originality, and growth. We proudly reject discrimination in all forms, including that based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.