Advanced Structural Test Rig Analysis Engineer Full Time NEW

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 Structural Test Rig Analysis Engineer, you will take full ownership of the structural analysis of test rigs supporting The Valo development and certification.

This role is primarily analysis-driven. You will be responsible for ensuring that all rig structures are statically and fatigue substantiated, compliant with certification requirements, and defensible at formal design reviews.

You will be involved from initial rig concept through to Critical Design Review (CDR), release, and certification test support. While hands-on rig and test involvement is beneficial, the core need is strong structural analysis capability and ownership mindset.

What You’ll Do

• Take full ownership of static and fatigue analysis of structural test rigs.
• Develop and validate FEM models and supporting hand calculations.
• Produce substantiation reports suitable for certification traceability.
• Participate in rig design from concept phase through CDR.
• Attend and defend analysis and design decisions in quality gates and formal reviews.
• Approve rig designs during the release cycle on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform based on analysis evidence.
• Ensure rigs meet strength, stiffness, durability, and safety requirements before test execution.
• Support rig design engineers to optimise structures for certification testing.

Nice To Have (not Core)

• Support rig assembly and integration activities on site.
• Provide technical support during static and fatigue test execution.
• Assist in troubleshooting structural issues during testing.

What You’ll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (BEng or higher) or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience (typically 5+ years) in structural analysis of aerospace structures or test rigs.
• Proven experience performing both static and fatigue substantiation.
• Demonstrated experience producing certification-ready analysis reports.
• Experience supporting certification test campaigns (EASA/FAA or equivalent).
• Strong FEA experience (Abaqus, Hypermesh, or equivalent).
• Experience creating and managing FEM models from concept to release.
• Ability to confidently defend analyses in formal design reviews.
• Familiarity with 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX) or similar PLM release environments.

Key Profile We Are Looking For

We Are Looking For a Candidate Who

• Has previously owned the structural substantiation of test rigs or similar structures.
• Is comfortable being accountable for analysis sign-off.
• Understands certification expectations and documentation standards.
• Can challenge designs constructively and ensure analytical robustness.

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.