Senior Flight Control Laws Engineer

Methodfi; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering aerospace company in Bristol is seeking a Senior Flight Control Laws Engineer to join their innovative team. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of Control Theory and have significant experience in flight dynamics and control laws design. This role plays a crucial part in integrating systems and certification processes. Join us to contribute to groundbreaking developments in electric aviation and build the future of aerial mobility.

Benefits

26 days holiday, plus bank holiday

5 extra days per year to buy (or sell)

5 extra days holiday for marriage or civil partnership

Company performance-based bonus

Company Pension Scheme with matching contribution

Breakfast provided daily

Qualifications

• Expertise in Control Theory (classical and modern).
• Experience with Flight Control Laws design, validation, and verification.
• Strong knowledge of aircraft certification regulations (CAA, FAA, EASA).

Responsibilities

• Develop control laws for the aircraft development program.
• Integrate control laws with aircraft systems.
• Contribute to certification activities, including creation of certification artefacts.

Skills

Control Theory expertise

MATLAB proficiency

Experience in flight dynamics

Critical thinking

Education

BSc, MSc or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or Computer Science

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 Flight Control Laws Engineer, you will join the Flight Control Laws Team based in Bristol and help us achieve our mission of pioneering electric aviation. You'll be part of a team approaching design from a modern angle – we're bringing to life not only a new category of electric aircraft but also intend to be at the forefront of the new way of designing and certifying aircraft, using a model‑based and streamlined development approach that feeds a highly‑automated test pipeline.

A typical day could involve applying your strong understanding of classical and modern Control Theory, leveraging your deep knowledge of fixed‑wing and rotorcraft flight dynamics, and drawing on your experience developing flight‑critical control software to certification standards.

Your ability to work across functional boundaries, make robust design decisions, and mentor junior team members will be key to your success in this role.

What You'll Do

• Operate across the entire spectrum of control laws development, supporting both our development aircraft programme and our Certification aircraft programme.
• Play a significant role in contributing to key control law design decisions.
• Interface with cross‑functional teams, including flight dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion, and avionics, to integrate control laws with aircraft systems whilst managing various stakeholder requirements to achieve key performance, safety, and certification objectives.
• Lead on ensuring flight control law development adheres to aerospace standards such as SAE ARP4754, DO‑178 and DO‑331.
• Play a key role in our certification efforts, including creation of Certification artefacts and communication with relevant Certification Authorities.
• Lead and mentor junior engineers in the development of control laws, fostering technical growth within the team and promoting knowledge exchange and best practices within the Flight Control Laws team.

What You'll Bring

• BSc, MSc or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science with significant experience within the Aerospace domain.
• Expert knowledge of Control Theory (classical and modern) and excellent competency with MATLAB and Simulink.
• Significant experience with one or more aspects of aircraft Flight Control Laws design, validation, verification.
• High motivation, curiosity, and confidence in your ability for critical thinking and robust decision making.
• Strong understanding of fixed‑wing and rotorcraft flight dynamics.
• Knowledge of software development and associated guidelines (SAE ARP4754, RTCA/EUROCAE DO‑178, DO‑331, etc.).
• Knowledge of Aircraft Certification Regulations (CAA, FAA, EASA).

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.