Principal Flight Dynamics Engineer

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 2029 ahead of entering service with our airline and operator customers. 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. Sitting within the Flight Dynamics team, you will coordinate the strategy for how we certify 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. A typical day could range from defining and refining our handling qualities certification plans, and shaping our means of compliance. You will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to agree and approve technical flight dynamics analysis and documentation. The ability to navigate complex certification challenges, think at whole-aircraft level, influence without direct line authority, and make robust, well-reasoned technical decisions will be key to your success in this role. What you'll do: - You will own the overall strategy and delivery of aircraft-level flight dynamics and handling qualities certification for the Valo. - You will define the strategies, compliance approaches, and means of compliance for flight dynamics. - You will act as a key technical interface with certification authorities. - You will review and approve analysis, test evidence, and documentation for certification deliverables - You will interface with Flight Controls, Flight Test, Flight Physics, Simulation and external authorities (e.g. CAA), demonstrating excellent communication, influence and stakeholder management. - You will act as a technical leader and mentor within the Flight Dynamics team, ensuring high standards of technical rigour, and 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. LI-LD1 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.