Production Leader

vertical aerospace group; Bristol; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering aviation technology company based in Bristol is seeking an experienced Production Leader to oversee battery assembly processes. You will lead operations to meet safety, quality, and delivery targets while collaborating with engineering and supply chain teams. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in battery manufacturing and aerospace, with proven leadership skills and familiarity with lean manufacturing principles. The role offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative electric aviation technology.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in battery manufacturing, aerospace, or high-performance automotive environments.
• Strong leadership background with a track record of scaling up production and driving cultural change.
• AS9100 knowledge or Lead Auditor certification preferred.
• Experience managing CAPEX/OPEX budgets and equipment procurement.
• Familiarity with lean tools (5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping).

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the battery production area.
• Take a hands-on approach to problem-solving and process validation.
• Oversee execution of build plans and quality control processes.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and quality teams.
• Support equipment specification and purchasing.
• Drive process optimisation through PFMEA and lean manufacturing principles.

Skills

Battery manufacturing

Leadership

Lean tools

Communication

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

Vertical Aerospace is building technology to revolutionise how people fly. Our mission is to make air travel personal, on‑demand and carbon‑free. We are currently entering a phase of expansion, we are looking for an experienced Production Leader with high quality mechanical and/or electrical/electronic assembly skills. You will be responsible for overseeing the execution and continuous improvement of battery module and pack assembly processes within Vertical Aerospace's advanced manufacturing environment. While this role does not include direct line management, you will lead through influence driving operational excellence, ensuring safety and quality standards, and collaborating across engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to meet production targets. Our new facility near Hallen, Avonmouth will be the principle working location.

What you'll do

• Lead day‑to‑day operations of the battery production area, ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets are met.
• Take a hands‑on approach to problem‑solving, process validation, and support actively engaging with technicians and engineers on the shop floor.
• Oversee execution of build plans, work instructions, and quality control processes for prototype and production battery systems.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and quality teams to ensure smooth transition from R&D to scalable manufacturing.
• Support equipment specification, purchasing, and commissioning—including FAT/SAT and integration into production.
• Manage CAPEX and OPEX budgets for battery production infrastructure and tooling.
• Drive process optimisation through PFMEA, root cause analysis, and lean manufacturing principles.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100 and other relevant aerospace standards.
• Lead development builds to validate manufacturing processes and gather data for continuous improvement.
• Own and optimise battery build processes, including cell preparation, module assembly, and pack integration.
• Identify and implement lean manufacturing initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance safety.
• Monitor and report key production metrics (OEE, yield, cycle time).
• Use digital tools to track build progress and escalation issues proactively.

What we'd like you to bring

• Proven experience in battery manufacturing, aerospace, or high‑performance automotive environments.
• Strong leadership background with a track record of scaling up production and driving cultural change.
• AS9100 knowledge or Lead Auditor certification preferred.
• Experience managing CAPEX/OPEX budgets and equipment procurement.
• Familiarity with lean tools (5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping).
• Excellent communication and coordination skills, with the ability to lead without formal authority.
• Comfortable working in a hands‑on, shop‑floor‑focused leadership role.