Senior Electrical V&V Engineering Manager

Methodfi; Bristol; On-site; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading electric aviation company in Bristol is looking for a Verification and Validation Lead to spearhead testing for high-voltage power systems in the Valo aircraft. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in safety-critical environments, a degree in engineering, and expertise with automated testing tools like MATLAB and Python. This role involves defining test strategies, building automated environments, and leading a talented verification team. Join us in shaping the future of aviation with a supportive and dynamic team.

Benefits

26 days holiday, plus bank holiday

5 extra days per year to buy (or sell)

Company performance-based bonus

Company Share Scheme

Company Pension Scheme with matching

Qualifications

• 10+ years working on safety-critical systems in aerospace, automotive, or energy.
• Knowledge of BMS, high-voltage systems, and functional safety.
• Experience delivering automated system-level V&V.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end V&V strategy for BMS and HV distribution systems.
• Build and run automated HIL test environments.
• Define and execute system test plans with traceability to requirements.
• Develop tools and pipelines for automated test case generation.
• Collaborate across systems, hardware, and software to support design-for-verification.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Communication

Automation

Knowledge of HIL testing

Education

Degree in electrical, systems, aerospace, or computer engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Jenkins

NI-based test environments

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.

About the team

This role sits within the Power & BMS department and reports into Sergio Minguella, the Head of Department. The team is responsible for delivering safe, certifiable high-voltage power systems for the Valo aircraft, including batteries, power distribution, and energy management.

What to Expect

In this role, you\'ll lead the verification and validation strategy for our high-voltage power systems — including the Battery Management System (BMS) and Power Distribution Units. You\'ll focus on building fast, automated, and traceable test environments that support continuous verification and reduce time-to-certification. Working across software, hardware, and systems teams, you’ll implement high-coverage HIL test platforms and robust regression pipelines that allow us to test smarter, earlier, and more often.

What You’ll Do

• Own the end-to-end V&V strategy for BMS and HV distribution systems
• Build and run automated HIL test environments, from SIL to full system integration
• Define and execute system test plans with traceability to requirements
• Develop tools and pipelines for automated test case generation, reporting, and compliance evidence
• Collaborate across systems, hardware, and software to support design-for-verification
• Lead certification readiness efforts, ensuring all V&V artefacts meet relevant standards
• Guide and grow a high-performing verification team, setting quality and rigour standards
• Drive delivery progress using measurable automation and regression KPIs

What You’ll Bring

• A degree in electrical, systems, aerospace, or computer engineering
• 10+ years working on safety-critical systems in aerospace, automotive, or energy
• Knowledge of BMS, high-voltage systems, and functional safety would be preferred
• Experience delivering automated system-level V&V using MATLAB/Simulink, Python, Jenkins, etc.
• Familiarity with NI-based test environments and test rig automation
• Strong understanding of ARP4754A, DO-160, DO-178C, DO-254 and related certification frameworks
• Proven leadership in managing complex, cross-functional test campaigns
• Experience with MBSE tools and requirements management platforms (e.g. Jama, DOORS)
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a proactive, delivery-focused mindset

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.