Principal Actuation Systems Engineer Vertical Aerospace Bristol, United Kingdom

Vertical Aerospace; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering aerospace company in the UK is seeking a Principal Actuation Systems Engineer. You will take ownership of developing and integrating all-electric actuation systems for their innovative eVTOL aircraft. Your responsibilities include defining technical requirements, collaborating with suppliers on compliance, and ensuring integration meets aerospace standards. Ideal candidates have a strong aerospace background, experience with actuation systems, and familiarity with certification processes. This role allows for impact on groundbreaking aerospace technology.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge and experience in aerospace engineering focused on actuation systems.
• Proven expertise in complex aerospace system development and verification.
• Experience with aerospace certification processes is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Define technical requirements for all-electric actuation systems.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure compliance and quality.
• Assess supplier designs and verification evidence for compliance.

Skills

Aerospace engineering

Electromechanical systems

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Technical ownership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

CATIA

Jama

Job description

We are seeking a Principal Actuation Systems Engineer to take technical ownership of the development, integration, and verification of novel, all-electric actuation systems for Vertical Aerospace's groundbreaking eVTOL aircraft. This role focuses on defining precise technical requirements, critically evaluating supplier designs and verification evidence, managing system interfaces, and ensuring seamless integration to meet stringent aerospace certification standards.

• Define and document detailed technical requirements for novel all-electric actuation systems using Jama, ensuring alignment with the aircraft's innovative performance, safety, and certification needs (e.g., EASA SC-VTOL);
• Collaborate with external suppliers responsible for designing, manufacturing, and verifying all-electric actuation systems, ensuring technical compliance with requirements and high-quality deliverables;
• Define and verify interfaces between the all-electric actuation systems and other aircraft systems (e.g., flight controls, electrical, and structural systems) using CATIA, ensuring robust integration for the novel eVTOL platform;
• Critically assess supplier-provided designs, technical data, and verification evidence (e.g., test reports, simulations, and analyses) for the all-electric actuation systems, ensuring compliance with aerospace standards and the unique demands of electric aircraft;
• Oversee and verify the installation of actuation systems on the aircraft, ensuring functionality, integration, and compliance with the innovative design specifications;
• Take sole responsibility for the technical delivery of the all-electric actuation system, ensuring it meets the required quality and certification standards for a novel electric aircraft;
• Identify and resolve technical risks associated with the development and integration of the all-electric actuation systems;
• Produce high-quality technical documentation, including requirements in Jama, interface control documents, and verification reports, to support certification and project milestones;
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including systems engineering, flight controls, and certification teams, to ensure the actuation system integrates seamlessly into the novel eVTOL aircraft;
  Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field;
• In-depth knowledge and experience in aerospace engineering, with significant focus on electromechanical or all-electric actuation systems;
• Proven expertise in developing and verifying complex systems for aerospace applications, ideally for novel or electric aircraft;
• Experience with aerospace certification processes (e.g., EASA, FAA) is highly desirable;
• Deep understanding of all-electric actuation systems, including electric motors, control electronics, and power distribution for novel aerospace applications;
• Proficiency in CATIA for CAD and Jama for requirements management;
• Familiarity with aerospace standards (e.g., DO-160, DO-178, DO-254) and certification requirements;
• Knowledge of systems integration and interface management for complex, innovative aerospace platforms;
• Strong analytical skills with a critical eye for evaluating complex engineering solutions;
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate with suppliers, internal teams, and certification authorities;
• Ability to take technical ownership and drive solutions independently in a fast-paced, innovative environment., Experience with eVTOL or electric aircraft actuation systems;
• Knowledge of safety-critical, fault-tolerant design for electric aerospace systems.