Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Technical Programme Manager

at Vertical Aerospace

🏢 About Vertical Aerospace

Vertical Aerospace is pioneering carbon-free, on-demand personal air travel, positioning itself at the forefront of sustainable aviation innovation. Working here means contributing to a revolutionary shift in transportation while being part of a mission-driven company focused on environmental impact. Their Bristol location places you in the heart of the UK's aerospace engineering hub.

About This Role

As Senior Technical Programme Manager, you'll own detailed project plans using Microsoft Project while ensuring alignment with the Integrated Master Schedule, acting as the critical link between the Hybrid team and Programme Office. Your role involves translating technical updates into actionable reports, managing risks through Atlassian tools, and supporting cost tracking and resource planning for engineering teams. This position directly impacts Vertical Aerospace's ability to deliver their carbon-free aircraft by maintaining project governance and driving proactive risk management.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day typically starts with reviewing Jira updates and critical path items from engineering teams, then updating Microsoft Project schedules to reflect progress against the Integrated Master Schedule. You'll spend time analyzing resource usage through variance analysis, preparing insight-driven reports for the Programme Office, and collaborating with engineering leads on risk mitigation strategies. Throughout the day, you'll facilitate communication between technical teams and programme leadership, ensuring alignment on milestones while championing project governance processes.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Vertical Aerospace Is Looking For

  • Has hands-on experience managing multi-disciplinary engineering programmes through design, test, and manufacturing phases in aerospace or similar regulated industries
  • Demonstrates proficiency with Microsoft Project for detailed scheduling and Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence) for daily task tracking and risk surfacing
  • Possesses practical experience with project governance including formal change control processes, risk management frameworks, and stakeholder reporting
  • Has supported cost centre planning and spend tracking, with ability to build business cases to address resource gaps or delivery risks

📝 Tips for Applying to Vertical Aerospace

1

Quantify your experience with Microsoft Project and Atlassian tools - specify project sizes, team numbers, and how you used these tools for risk management

2

Highlight any aerospace or aviation industry experience, particularly with design-to-manufacturing programmes in regulated environments

3

Demonstrate your ability to translate technical updates into business insights by including examples in your resume

4

Research Vertical Aerospace's eVTOL aircraft models (like the VX4) and reference specific aspects in your application

5

Show experience with integrated master schedules in complex engineering environments, not just standalone project plans

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience managing engineering programmes through design, test, and manufacturing phases in complex environments', 'Specific examples of using Microsoft Project and Atlassian tools to surface risks and maintain project governance', "How you've previously acted as a bridge between technical teams and programme offices, translating updates into actionable reports", "Your understanding of sustainable aviation and why Vertical Aerospace's mission resonates with your career goals"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Vertical Aerospace's aircraft models (particularly the VX4), their technical specifications, and development timeline
  • → The company's recent regulatory milestones and partnerships with aviation authorities
  • → The competitive landscape of eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft and sustainable aviation trends
  • → Vertical Aerospace's leadership team and their backgrounds in aerospace and technology

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you've managed a complex engineering programme from design through to manufacturing
2 Describe your experience with integrated master schedules and how you ensure alignment across multiple project plans
3 How do you use Atlassian tools to track daily tasks and surface critical path items in fast-paced engineering environments?
4 Tell us about a time you built a business case to address resource gaps or delivery risks in a technical programme
5 How would you approach stakeholder management between engineering teams and programme leadership at a mission-driven company like Vertical Aerospace?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic project management experience without specific examples in engineering or manufacturing environments
  • Listing Microsoft Project as a skill without demonstrating how you've used it for complex scheduling and integration
  • Failing to show understanding of the aerospace industry's regulatory and safety considerations in your application

📅 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

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Vertical Aerospace!

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