Advanced Quality Engineer - CI/Lean

Methodfi; Bristol; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in electric aviation is seeking an Advanced Quality Engineer to optimize business processes through lean methodologies. The role involves facilitating improvement initiatives and the implementation of visual management systems. This position requires significant experience in continuous improvement within highly regulated industries, along with expertise in lean methodologies like Kaizen and 5S. Join a company at the forefront of electric aviation, where your work will play a critical role in achieving airliner-level safety certification.

Benefits

26 days holiday, plus bank holidays

5 extra days to buy or sell

Bonus for company performance

Company Share Scheme

Company Pension Scheme with 5% match

Qualifications

• Significant experience in continuous improvement in manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience in highly regulated industries like aerospace.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace quality standards like AS9100.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate Kaizen events to eliminate process bottlenecks.
• Train teams on lean principles and problem-solving tools.
• Manage Kaikaku activities and implement visual management systems.

Skills

Continuous Improvement

Lean Manufacturing

Process Engineering

Facilitation Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt minimum)

Tools

Process Mapping Tools

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 an Advanced Quality Engineer - CI / Lean, you'll play a pivotal role in simplifying, optimising, and standardising business processes across functions to drive efficiency and exceptional business outcomes. This is an opportunity to embed Kaizen, Kaikaku and Kakushin principles into the heart of our operations as we scale towards certification and ongoing production.

You'll be working at the intersection of quality, operations, and digital technology - leading process improvement initiatives, facilitating improvement events, and championing lean methodologies across the organisation. Your work will directly contribute to building the operational excellence framework that supports our mission to pioneer electric aviation.

What you'll do

• Facilitate Kaizen events, identifying and eliminating bottlenecks and redundancies in end-to-end processes
• Train teams on lean principles, problem-solving methodologies, and CI tools
• Develop and execute Standardised Work, Gemba walks, and Visual Management across our facilities
• Manage Kaikaku activities across the organisation as we progress through our journey to Certification
• Implement 5S, standardised work, and visual management systems
• Define process KPIs and build cross-functional performance dashboards
• Delivering Kakushin across digital tools to enhance process efficiency and data visibility: e.g MES, and ERP
• Create and maintain process maps, swim lane diagrams, and Value Stream Maps (VSM)
• Coach leadership on tiered accountability and daily management practices

What you'll bring

• Significant experience in continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, or process engineering roles in manufacturing or production environments
• Proven experience in aerospace, aviation, or other highly regulated industries
• Strong knowledge of AS9100, Part 21G, or similar aerospace quality standards
• Relevant qualification in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt minimum, Black Belt preferred)
• Familiarity with eVTOL, electric propulsion, or emerging aviation technologies
• Proven expertise in lean methodologies including VSM, 5S, Kaizen, and standardised work
• Strong facilitation skills with experience leading cross-functional improvement workshops
• Proficiency in process mapping tools and techniques
• Track record of implementing visual management and daily management systems
• Experience working with IT teams on process automation and digitalisation initiatives
• Excellent communication and coaching skills with the ability to influence at all levels

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.