Senior SW/HW Quality Assurance Engineer at Vertical Aerospace

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 We are looking for an exceptional individual to join Vertical Aerospace as a Senior Hardware & Software Quality Assurance Engineer to provide independent process assurance for safety-critical avionics/electrical systems on our eVTOL programme. This role sits within the Quality organisation and is responsible for ensuring the DO-178C and DO-254 quality assurance objectives are met through effective governance, audits, and independent sign-off of lifecycle compliance evidence What you'll do - Provide independent assurance that DO-178C and DO-254 lifecycle processes comply with approved plans/standards, including suppliers. - Own / maintain the project SQAP/HPAP activities and assurance records needed for certification deliverables. - Ensure the programme meets core QA objectives, including: Alignment of plans/standards to DO-178C objectives / Monitoring lifecycle compliance and transition criteria, and conducting/overseeing software conformity review prior to certification submissions. - Chair/participate in key governance: lifecycle reviews, audits, and Change Control / Problem Reporting to ensure issues are tracked and resolved with objective evidence. - Ensure configuration control discipline is applied to lifecycle data (baselines, indices, build/release integrity) and that verification evidence is based on configured artefacts. - Support certification liaison with quality evidence for SOI/reviews (planning, development, verification, certification readiness) and prepare for authority/DOA scrutiny. - Support supplier oversight: assess supplier capability, flow down assurance requirements, and audit supplier compliance evidence. What you'll bring - Bachelor’s degree in electrical/Electronic, Aerospace, Systems, Software Engineering (or equivalent). - Senior experience (typically 8+ years) in quality/process assurance for safety-critical airborne HW and/or SW. - Strong working knowledge of: RTCA DO-178C / EUROCAE ED-12C (SQA objectives, independence, conformity review, supplier oversight) & RTCA DO-254 / EUROCAE ED-80 - Experience writing and assuring planning data: PSAC/PHAC, SQAP/HPAP, SVP/HVVP, SCM/CM plans and associated standards. - Strong audit skills; confident producing clear non-conformance reports and driving corrective actions to closure. - Familiarity with QMS frameworks (e.g., ISO9001 / AS9100) and regulated product environments. - Excellent written and verbal communication; able to influence engineering and leadership with evidence-based positions. - Fluent English language skills are essential. 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.