---
title: 'Flight Control Laws Engineer at Vertical Aerospace'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/flight-control-laws-engineer-vertical-aerospace-bristol-z1wmzx3hb1jd'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-19'
---

# Flight Control Laws Engineer at Vertical Aerospace

- **Company:** Vertical Aerospace
- **Location:** Bristol, United Kingdom
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-10-16
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-19
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/vertical-aerospace/d1446785-d372-4093-9602-4929da9c61b8

## 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 Flight Control Laws Engineer, you’ll take a leading technical role in developing the control laws for Valo. You’ll apply strong controls fundamentals and practical aircraft certification programme experience to solve novel engineering challenges, working from early requirements capture and validation through to design, testing and certification and modelling through testing and certification. You will hold technical ownership of a significant area of the control-law development and coordination of its delivery across multiple engineering disciplines. You’ll have the opportunity to influence important technical decisions on a novel aircraft programme moving at pace towards certification.

## What You’ll Do

- Design, develop and deliver flight control laws for Valo.
- Lead a significant area of control law development from initial requirements capture and validation through to design, verification, flight testing and certification including the co-ordination of technical delivery and interfacing with relevant engineering teams.
- Develop and evaluate the control-law design using MATLAB, Simulink and model-based engineering approaches.
- Work closely with engineers across flight dynamics, systems, software, simulation, testing, certification and our test pilots to deliver an integrated solution.
- Use your certification programme experience to support definition and validation of the FCL programme plan
- Engage with technical challenges beyond your immediate specialism, helping resolve complex cross-functional engineering problems.
- Make sound engineering decisions where information may be incomplete, balancing technical performance, complexity, certification and programme needs.

## What You’ll Bring

- A strong grounding in classical control theory and extensive practical experience applying it to fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft.
- 10+ years of relevant engineering professional experience in flight-control laws or GNC.
- Substantial hands-on experience with MATLAB and Simulink, including model-based design and development (DO-331).
- Knowledge and practical experience with aerospace standards including ARP-4754B, DO-178C, DO-331.
- Experience working on an aircraft development and certification programme (e.g. CS-23, CS-25, CS-27, CS-29 or equivalent) with an understanding of how flight controls progress through design, verification, testing and certification.
- Comfortable working effectively across engineering disciplines, able to communicate technical decisions clearly and contribute beyond your immediate area of expertise.
- Experience of modern control techniques would be beneficial.
- Relevant experience may come from fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft or other complex GNC applications where safety, control performance and rigorous development are critical.

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.

## About Vertical Aerospace

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Vertical Aerospace designs and builds all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to transform urban mobility with zero‑operating‑emissions flight.
- **Entity Type**: Public (ticker not explicitly confirmed in sources; NYSE: EVTL per market data; market cap of ~$0.34 B as of mid‑2026)
- **Headquarters**: Bristol, United Kingdom (London office also listed)
- **Founded**: 2016
- **Founders**: Not publicly available in the provided sources

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Aerospace / Electric Aviation / Urban Air Mobility (UAM)
- **Target customers**: Aviation operators, airlines, and urban transport networks (B2B)
- **Mission / purpose**: Pioneering electric aviation to lead the transition to quieter, faster, and cleaner urban transport; making air travel “up to 100 miles at 150 mph with zero operating emissions” [vertical-aerospace.com](https://vertical-aerospace.com/)

## Products & Services
- **Valo eVTOL Aircraft**: A six‑passenger (plus pilot) electric vertical take‑off and landing aircraft designed for urban & regional air mobility. Targets cruise speeds of 150 mph, range up to 100 miles, and airliner‑level safety. Zero operating emissions. Full‑scale prototype has completed first piloted flight and transition flight testing is underway.

- **Hybrid‑Electric & Battery R&D**: The company is also advancing hybrid‑electric propulsion testing and battery production capabilities to support future aircraft variants.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: ~$0.34 B (source: [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/vertical-aerospace) – reflects market cap as of mid‑2026)
- **Key Metric (Funding)**: Raised capital via PIPE‑III and IPO (specific amounts not disclosed in provided sources)
- **Notable Investors / Partners**:
  - **Airlines & operators**: American Airlines, Japan Airlines, AirAsia, GOL, and others have placed pre‑orders (leading order book globally diversified) [investor.vertical-aerospace.com](https://investor.vertical-aerospace.com/overview/default.aspx)
  - **Supply chain partners**: Rolls‑Royce, Hyundai WIA (landing gear), and other top‑tier aerospace suppliers
  - **Certification & safety**: Working with UK CAA and EASA; aircraft designed to the highest safety threshold to serve the full global market
- **Growth Signals**:
  - First piloted flight of full‑scale prototype completed; transition flight testing ongoing
  - Actively progressing toward certification and commercialisation
  - Expanding battery production and hybrid‑electric testing
  - Strong order book backed by major global airlines

## Competitive Advantages
- **Safety‑first certification**: Valo is engineered to meet the strictest aviation safety standards (EASA and UK CAA), making it “multiples safer than any other aircraft in the sector” and uniquely positioned to serve the global market.
- **Asset‑light OEM model**: Pure‑play original equipment manufacturer with ~75% less capital spent per aircraft compared to competitors, offering a clear path to profitability.
- **Best‑in‑class aircraft design**: Targeting the most powerful eVTOL powertrain in the industry with superior comfort, capacity, and range.
- **World‑class team & partners**: Experienced engineers and aviation veterans with a track record of certifying 30+ aircraft & propulsion systems; strong partner ecosystem.

## Strategic Focus
Current priorities (as of mid‑2026):
- Completing certification and moving Valo toward commercial service
- Advancing hybrid‑electric propulsion and battery production to broaden the aircraft’s range and utility
- Scaling manufacturing partnerships (e.g., Hyundai WIA) and supplier relationships
- Strengthening the order book and preparing for production deliveries

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & values**: “The Vertical Way” – Openness, Courage, Ingenuity, Safety. The company emphasises a supportive, flexible environment where employees can do “the best work of your career” [vertical-aerospace.com/careers](https://vertical-aerospace.com/careers/)
- **Remote / hybrid / office**: Multiple UK locations (Bristol HQ, London office, Kemble airfield, Bristol airfield); policy not explicitly stated, but “flexible organisation” is mentioned
- **Perks & benefits** (from careers page):
  - 26 days holiday + bank holidays
  - Option to buy/sell 5 extra days per year
  - 5 extra days when getting married/entering civil partnership
  - Additional 4% of salary to spend on flexible benefits
  - Award‑winning digital health & wellbeing service (Help@Hand)
  - Company Share Scheme open to all employees
  - Company Pension Scheme (5% employer match)
  - Daily breakfast provided
- **Hiring process**: Three‑step – 1) culture / mission overview & experience discussion; 2) structured interview & practical skills assessment with hiring manager plus cross‑functional team members; 3) feedback & next steps from in‑house hiring team

## Sources
1. [vertical‑aerospace.com](https://vertical‑aerospace.com/) – Company home page, Valo specs, mission
2. [vertical‑aerospace.com/careers](https://vertical‑aerospace.com/careers/) – Careers page with values, benefits, hiring process
3. [vertical‑aerospace.com/about](https://vertical‑aerospace.com/about/) – About page, team, history, office locations
4. [investor.vertical‑aerospace.com](https://investor.vertical‑aerospace.com/overview/default.aspx) – Investor relations overview, partners, safety strategy, competitive advantages
5. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/vertical‑aerospace) – Company profile with market cap, funding stage, patents, founding year

## Other roles at Vertical Aerospace

- [Purchasing Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/purchasing-coordinator-vertical-aerospace-bristol-mr6n4reg5h1d) — Bristol, United Kingdom
- [Team Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/team-coordinator-vertical-aerospace-bristol-eef6jf07a76r) — Bristol, United Kingdom
- [Advanced Stress Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/advanced-stress-engineer-vertical-aerospace-bristol-qxez6z5gshyz) — Bristol, United Kingdom
- [Project Manager – Airframe](https://feeny.ai/job/project-manager-airframe-vertical-aerospace-bristol-5yw6jgj79548) — Bristol, United Kingdom
- [HSE Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/hse-manager-vertical-aerospace-bristol-t8aze5qvmexy) — Bristol, United Kingdom / Kemble, United Kingdom
- [Senior Stress Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-stress-engineer-vertical-aerospace-bristol-s5x6e7azthmg) — Bristol, United Kingdom
- [Senior Design Engineer - Airframe](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-design-engineer-airframe-vertical-aerospace-bristol-9tb43x8vzncf) — Bristol, United Kingdom
- [Senior Category Manager (Aerospace)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-category-manager-aerospace-vertical-aerospace-bristol-qjc8b1x268j5) — Bristol, United Kingdom
- [Head of Customer - Defence](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-customer-defence-vertical-aerospace-bristol-q907245s6k9p) — Bristol, United Kingdom