Principal Manufacturing Engineer – Product Assurance & Governance

Vertical Aerospace; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking aerospace company is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer to shape engineering processes and governance within the manufacturing engineering function. This role requires deep experience in aerospace industry standards like AS9100 and the ability to lead cross-functional teams. With a focus on efficiency and compliance, you'll enhance our operational excellence using digital tools. Join us and contribute to the future of electric aviation with innovative solutions.

Benefits

26 days holiday plus bank holiday

5 extra days to buy or sell

5 extra days upon marriage

4% additional salary for benefits

Digital health and wellbeing service

Performance-based bonus

Company Share Scheme

Pension Scheme with matching

Daily breakfast provided

Qualifications

• Deep experience in process development and governance within aerospace.
• Strong understanding of AS9100 and POA requirements.
• Experience in manufacturing engineering connecting to business needs.
• Ability to lead through influence and mentor engineers.

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise in developing engineering processes across the lifecycle.
• Define and maintain governance approaches for operational excellence.
• Lead activities to verify compliance with design requirements.
• Align process development with digital tools for efficiency.

Skills

Process development

Governance

Manufacturing engineering

Digital tools knowledge

Cross-functional leadership

Tools

PLM

ERP

MES

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 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

Reporting to the Head of Aircraft Manufacturing Engineering and part of the broader Manufacturing and Operations team. The team owns the development and delivery of the procedures, methods, and processes that govern how the operational functions should work. This includes ensuring compliance with POA (Production Organisation Approval) and AS9100 obligations, while also optimising efficiency through the use of digital toolsets.

As the Principal Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll bring deep expertise in process assurance and governance to shape how we work across the manufacturing engineering function. You’ll define and maintain the procedures and frameworks that enable our teams to meet POA and AS9100 requirements, while also supporting scalable and efficient ways of working. Collaborating closely with teams across operations — including production and quality— leveraging the benefit of digital tools, you’ll help ensure our engineering lifecycle is robust, from early concept through to full‑rate production.

What You’ll Do

• Provide subject matter expertise in the development and continuous improvement of engineering processes across the full lifecycle — from concept through to scaled production
• Identify, define, and maintain robust governance approaches that support engineering and operational excellence
• Evaluate how processes impact other functions, ensuring alignment across teams and promoting shared accountability
• Lead assurance activities to verify that design proving evidence is complete, documented appropriately, and endorsed at the right level
• Align process development with digital tools and systems to enhance control, traceability, and efficient execution
• Capture and share domain knowledge to strengthen internal capabilities and build process maturity across teams
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers, supporting the leadership team in managing specialist governance‑related workstreams

What You’ll Bring

• Deep experience in process development, governance, and assurance within aerospace or a similarly regulated industry
• Strong understanding of AS9100 and POA requirements, and how they shape compliant and efficient ways of working
• First‑hand experience in manufacturing engineering, combined with a clear view of how engineering processes connect to wider business needs
• A technical mindset, with the ability to see how governance activities support the success of the overall product or programme
• Familiarity with digital tools such as PLM, ERP, and MES, and how they enable better control, optimisation, and traceability of processes
• Comfortable engaging with external governing bodies such as the CAA, BSI, or IAQG to support audits, reviews, and continuous improvement
• Able to lead through influence, guiding cross‑functional teams and embedding best practices without direct line authority
• Confident working across disciplines, sharing knowledge, and building capability in others #LI-LG1

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.