Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Embedded Software Engineer
at Vertical Aerospace
🏢 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 directly to sustainable aviation technology that could transform urban mobility, with the unique opportunity to build safety-critical software for cutting-edge aircraft from the ground up.
About This Role
As a Senior Embedded Software Engineer at Vertical Aerospace, you'll develop and verify low-level software functions and drivers for embedded platforms, ensuring compliance with DO-178C standards for safety-critical systems. This role is impactful because your work directly enables the reliable operation of carbon-free aircraft, requiring rigorous validation of software components that are essential for flight safety and certification.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves developing and verifying low-level software functions for embedded platforms, collaborating with hardware engineers on integration tasks, and conducting unit tests for safety-critical components. You might spend time reviewing software implementations against DO-178C requirements, debugging at the hardware interface level, or participating in technical design reviews with multidisciplinary teams working on aircraft systems.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Vertical Aerospace Is Looking For
- Has 7+ years of embedded C development specifically for safety-critical systems, with proven experience using Texas Instruments TMS microcontrollers and CAN communication systems
- Demonstrates strong understanding and practical application of MISRA C standards, DO-178C compliance, and low-level verification activities including unit testing and hardware interface debugging
- Possesses experience reviewing software implementations against certification standards and maintaining requirements traceability throughout the software lifecycle
- Can collaborate effectively with hardware engineers and multidisciplinary teams during aircraft-level integration while contributing to continuous improvement of development processes
📝 Tips for Applying to Vertical Aerospace
Quantify your experience with Texas Instruments TMS microcontrollers—mention specific models you've worked with and projects where you developed drivers or low-level functions for them
Highlight specific safety-critical projects where you applied DO-178C standards, detailing your role in verification activities and certification compliance
Demonstrate your CAN communication system experience with concrete examples of development, deployment, or troubleshooting in embedded environments
Showcase your MISRA C knowledge by mentioning tools you've used for compliance checking or specific coding standards you've implemented
Tailor your resume to emphasize aircraft or aerospace experience, even if indirect—highlight any work with regulated industries (automotive, medical, aviation) that required rigorous software development processes
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Express genuine interest in Vertical Aerospace's mission of carbon-free air travel and how your embedded software expertise aligns with developing safe, reliable eVTOL aircraft", 'Detail your hands-on experience with Texas Instruments TMS microcontrollers and CAN systems, connecting them to safety-critical application scenarios', "Highlight your understanding of DO-178C and MISRA C standards with specific examples of how you've applied them in previous roles", 'Describe your collaborative approach to working with hardware engineers and multidisciplinary teams, emphasizing experience with integration and validation activities']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study Vertical Aerospace's aircraft models (particularly their eVTOL designs) and understand the embedded systems challenges unique to electric aviation
- → Research the company's certification progress with aviation authorities and how DO-178C applies to their specific aircraft development timeline
- → Learn about the broader eVTOL industry landscape and Vertical Aerospace's position relative to competitors like Joby Aviation, Archer, and Lilium
- → Review any technical publications, patents, or presentations by Vertical Aerospace engineers to understand their technical approach and challenges
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with generic embedded experience without highlighting safety-critical systems work or specific microcontroller expertise (TI TMS)
- Failing to demonstrate understanding of aviation certification standards like DO-178C or industry coding standards like MISRA C
- Presenting experience that lacks collaboration examples with hardware teams or multidisciplinary integration activities
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Vertical Aerospace!