Senior Systems Integration Engineer

Vertical Aerospace; Bristol (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days holiday, plus bank holiday

Company performance based bonus

Company Share Scheme

Company Pension Scheme - 5% match

Breakfast on us, every day

Job summary

Vertical Aerospace is seeking a Senior Electric Propulsion Unit Integration Engineer to lead the integration of electric propulsion systems into their innovative aircraft, Valo. Located in Bristol, Virginia, the role demands strong collaboration with various engineering teams and the ability to manage complex configurations. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, solid experience with electric propulsion, and excellent communication skills. This position offers benefits like 26 days of holiday and a performance bonus.

Qualifications

• Experience integrating electric propulsion systems into aircraft.
• Confidence working across multiple disciplines.
• Strong understanding of aerospace materials and structural design.

Responsibilities

• Own the physical integration of the Electric Propulsion Unit (EPU) into the aircraft.
• Define and manage EPU space allocation within the aircraft.
• Deliver 3D CAD models and installation drawings.

Skills

Integration of electric propulsion systems

Communication skills

Experience in CAD tools such as CATIA

Good organizational skills

Education

Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Automotive Engineering

Tools

CATIA

MATLAB

Python

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

As a Senior Electric Propulsion Unit Integration Engineer, you will take ownership of how the EPU is physically integrated into the aircraft, ensuring it performs safely, efficiently, and reliably throughout its lifecycle. Reporting into the Head of EPU, you will work at the centre of the aircraft architecture, collaborating closely with structures, stress, manufacturing, maintenance, and supplier teams.

You will balance competing priorities - from managing complex interfaces and configurations to reducing mass and ensuring structural integrity - while supporting certification activities. This role offers the opportunity to shape a critical system that carries primary load paths within the aircraft, with direct impact on safety, performance, and delivery.

What You’ll Do

• Own the physical integration of the Electric Propulsion Unit (EPU) into the aircraft, ensuring safe, efficient, and certifiable installation

• Define and manage EPU space allocation within the aircraft digital mock-up, maintaining alignment as the design evolves

• Deliver 3D CAD models and installation drawings to support design, manufacturing, and certification

• Establish and control physical interfaces through clear interface definitions and documentation, aligning with internal teams and external suppliers

• Translate integration needs into structured, verifiable requirements and lead their validation

• Drive mass reduction across the EPU installation while maintaining structural integrity and safety margins

• Manage EPU configurations and ensure consistency across design, analysis, and build

• Work with stress and fatigue specialists to ensure the structure and interfaces meet lifetime load requirements

• Define verification approaches and support test activities to demonstrate compliance with certification requirements

• Contribute to certification activities, including documentation and engagement with regulatory authorities

What You’ll Bring

• A degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Automotive Engineering, or equivalent experience

• Experience integrating electric propulsion systems or complex powertrain systems into aircraft

• Confidence working across multiple disciplines to deliver an optimised integration solution

• Experience defining physical interfaces, writing clear and structured requirements, and validating them effectively

• Understanding of aerospace materials, mechanical fastening, and structural design principles

• Knowledge of mechanical loads and how stress and fatigue considerations influence design

• Experience using CAD tools such as CATIA to integrate components and produce installation drawings

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with internal teams, suppliers, and external partners

• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage detailed work in a fast-paced environment

• Familiarity with configuration management and version control

Nice to Have

• Experience supporting structural or mechanical testing activities

• Exposure to stress or fatigue analysis in an aerospace environment

• Understanding of electric propulsion systems, including motors, inverters, and control principles

• Experience working with high-voltage systems

• Experience across the full product lifecycle, from concept through to production and in-service support

• Familiarity with requirements management tools such as DOORS or JAMA

• Experience using data analysis tools such as MATLAB or Python

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

• 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.