Application Guide

How to Apply for Advanced Flight Control Systems Engineer

at Vertical Aerospace

๐Ÿข About Vertical Aerospace

Vertical Aerospace is pioneering carbon-free, on-demand personal air travel, positioning itself at the forefront of the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) revolution. Working here means contributing to sustainable aviation technology that could transform urban mobility while aligning with rigorous aerospace certification standards.

About This Role

This role focuses on defining, integrating, and verifying the Flight Control System for eVTOL aircraft, ensuring it meets safety and certification standards like ARP4754B and ARP4761A. You'll directly impact the aircraft's safety and performance by managing system requirements, leading verification tasks, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve certification milestones.

๐Ÿ’ก A Day in the Life

A typical day involves collaborating remotely with software and avionics teams on flight control architecture, reviewing supplier deliverables, and updating requirement documents or test procedures. You might lead a verification task meeting, contribute to safety assessments like FMEA, and ensure alignment with certification timelines for Vertical Aerospace's eVTOL aircraft.

๐ŸŽฏ Who Vertical Aerospace Is Looking For

  • Has 3+ years of hands-on experience in flight control systems engineering, including involvement in both design and certification phases for aerospace projects
  • Demonstrates practical knowledge of ARP4754B, ARP4761A, and related standards, with experience in safety assessments (FTA, FMEA) and compliance documentation
  • Has led technical tasks or verification campaigns, coordinating with suppliers and cross-disciplinary teams (software, avionics, safety) in a remote or distributed environment
  • Is proactive in improving systems engineering processes and can manage requirements traceability, validation/verification plans, and test procedures independently

๐Ÿ“ Tips for Applying to Vertical Aerospace

1

Highlight specific examples where you applied ARP4754B/ARP4761A in previous roles, detailing your role in certification planning or safety case development

2

Emphasize remote collaboration experience, especially with suppliers and cross-functional teams, as this role is fully remote at a distributed company

3

Tailor your resume to show end-to-end involvement in flight control system lifecycleโ€”from architecture design to verificationโ€”using metrics like on-schedule delivery or compliance rates

4

Research Vertical Aerospace's eVTOL prototypes (like the VX4) and mention how your skills align with their focus on carbon-free, certifiable aircraft systems

5

Include keywords like 'supplier technical oversight,' 'cross-functional coordination,' and 'development assurance' to match the job description's terminology

โœ‰๏ธ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Explain your direct experience with flight control system integration and verification, linking it to eVTOL or similar advanced aerospace projects', "Describe how you've supported certification activities (e.g., safety assessments, compliance docs) and improved engineering processes in past roles", "Show enthusiasm for Vertical Aerospace's mission of carbon-free air travel and how your skills in systems engineering contribute to sustainable innovation", 'Mention your ability to lead tasks remotely, coordinate with suppliers, and work with teams like avionics and safety to meet tight certification deadlines']

Generate Cover Letter โ†’

๐Ÿ” Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • โ†’ Study Vertical Aerospace's aircraft models (e.g., VX4) and their technical specifications to understand the flight control system context
  • โ†’ Review the company's recent news on certification progress or partnerships with aviation authorities to discuss their regulatory strategy
  • โ†’ Explore their sustainability mission and how it integrates with engineering practices, as this is core to their brand
  • โ†’ Look into their remote work culture and distributed team structure to tailor your collaboration examples accordingly

๐Ÿ’ฌ Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through your experience with ARP4754B and ARP4761A in a flight control system project, including your role in safety assessments
2 How would you manage a supplier delivering a critical flight control component, and what steps would you take in a technical review?
3 Describe a time you led a verification campaign or cross-functional task for a flight control systemโ€”what challenges arose and how did you ensure on-schedule delivery?
4 How do you approach requirements traceability and validation in a complex system, and what tools or processes have you used?
5 Given our focus on eVTOL certification, how would you adapt your systems engineering experience to meet the unique challenges of electric aircraft?
Practice Interview Questions โ†’

โš ๏ธ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic resume without highlighting flight control systems experience or certification standards like ARP4754B/ARP4761A
  • Failing to provide specific examples of leading technical tasks or supplier coordination in past aerospace roles
  • Overlooking the remote aspectโ€”not demonstrating experience with distributed teamwork or self-management in a remote engineering environment

๐Ÿ“… Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

โœ“

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Vertical Aerospace!