Principal Flight Dynamics Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

26 days holiday, plus bank holidays

5 extra days to buy or sell

Additional 4% of salary for benefits

Company performance-based bonus

Company Share and Pension Scheme

Job summary

Vertical Aerospace in Bristol is searching for a Principal Flight Dynamics Engineer to lead the certification strategy for our eVTOL aircraft, Valo. You will be pivotal in ensuring the aircraft meets safety standards through rigorous flight dynamics analyses and certifications.

Ideal candidates will have a strong background in aerospace engineering and proven experience with flight certification processes. Joining us means contributing to groundbreaking developments in electric aviation, with exciting growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in aircraft-level flight dynamics and handling qualities.
• Proven experience certifying aircraft handling qualities.
• Familiarity with regulatory contexts like CAA.

Responsibilities

• Own strategy and delivery of aircraft-level flight dynamics certification.
• Define compliance approaches for flight dynamics.
• Act as key interface with certification authorities.

Skills

Aircraft-level flight dynamics expertise

Strong communication skills

Technical leadership

Collaboration

Critical thinking

Education

BS in Aerospace Engineering or related field

MS/PhD in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

High-fidelity simulation models

Aircraft-level simulation models

Job description

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 navigate the sky. We do not follow legacy processes; instead we aim to redefine aerospace best practices. The business is scaling from prototype to SME, with 2028 targeting air‑liner level safety certification before entering service with our airline and operator customers.

Role Overview

As a Principal Flight Dynamics Engineer, you will be the technical driving force behind our understanding of the Valo’s aircraft‑level behaviour and handling qualities. Working within the Flight Dynamics team, you will coordinate the strategy for certifying the flight dynamics and handling qualities of our fully electric eVTOL, working closely with colleagues across Airworthiness, Flight Controls, Flight Test, Simulation and wider Flight Physics.

What You’ll Do

• Own the overall strategy and delivery of aircraft‑level flight dynamics and handling qualities certification for the Valo.
• Define strategies, compliance approaches and means of compliance for flight dynamics.
• Act as a key technical interface with certification authorities.
• Review and approve analysis, test evidence and documentation for certification deliverables.
• Interface with Flight Controls, Flight Test, Flight Physics, Simulation and external authorities (e.g., CAA), demonstrating excellent communication, influence and stakeholder management.
• Act as a technical leader and mentor within the Flight Dynamics team, ensuring high standards of technical rigour, guiding activities from early analysis through to flight test correlation and final certification.

What You’ll Bring

• BS in Aerospace Engineering or related field with extensive experience in aircraft‑level flight dynamics and handling qualities, OR MS/PhD in Aerospace Engineering or related field with significant experience in aircraft‑level flight dynamics and handling qualities.
• Deep expertise in flight dynamics / flight mechanics, including open‑loop aircraft behaviour, aerodynamic interaction and cross‑coupling effects.
• Proven experience with certifying aircraft handling qualities and flight dynamics, ideally including interaction with airworthiness authorities (e.g., CAA or other NAA).
• Strong track record working at full‑aircraft level, including aero‑propulsive interaction and cross‑coupling effects.
• Familiarity with working within a regulatory and certification context (e.g., CAA or other aviation authorities), including engaging with regulators on technical topics.
• Ability to define and drive technical strategy across multiple teams (flight controls, flight test, flight physics, simulation), influencing without direct line authority.
• Highly motivated, with excellent critical thinking, systems‑level decision‑making skills and a collaborative approach to mentoring and guiding other engineers.

Your Experience

• Background in certification by simulation / use of high‑fidelity simulation as primary certification evidence.
• Background in building, validating and using aircraft‑level simulation models to support analysis, design decisions and certification evidence.
• Experience defining and/or assessing flight test plans and requirements to validate flight dynamics models.
• Exposure to working within or alongside major OEMs or leading academic/industrial flight dynamics groups.

Our Benefits

• 26 days holiday, plus bank holidays.
• 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.

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.