Application Guide

How to Apply for 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 directly to revolutionizing urban mobility with electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of transportation in a mission-driven startup environment.

About This Role

As a Technical Programme Manager at Vertical Aerospace, you'll be the linchpin between programme milestones and aircraft-level deliverables for the Systems Safety & Systems Engineering team. This role is critical for ensuring the integrated development of their eVTOL aircraft by managing schedules, budgets, dependencies, and risks, directly impacting the company's ability to bring carbon-free air travel to market.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day typically involves reviewing integrated schedules with engineering leads, coordinating cross-functional inputs for aircraft-level deliverables, monitoring progress against safety and systems engineering milestones, and preparing risk reports for senior leadership. You'll spend significant time resolving dependencies between teams and ensuring configuration baselines align with the overall aircraft development plan.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Vertical Aerospace Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years managing complex aerospace or automotive engineering programmes with demonstrated success in meeting cost, schedule, and technical targets
  • Possesses deep practical knowledge of systems engineering development lifecycles, particularly in safety-critical systems and configuration management
  • Is adept at resolving cross-functional issues in multidisciplinary engineering environments, especially between safety, systems engineering, and other aircraft development teams
  • Has experience with resource-loaded scheduling tools and budget tracking for technical programmes involving support contracts and licenses

📝 Tips for Applying to Vertical Aerospace

1

Quantify your experience with specific examples of managing aerospace or automotive engineering programmes - mention aircraft systems, safety certification, or similar complex projects

2

Highlight any experience with eVTOL, electric aviation, or sustainable transportation projects to show alignment with Vertical Aerospace's mission

3

Demonstrate your understanding of systems engineering lifecycles by mentioning specific methodologies or standards you've worked with (e.g., ARP4754, DO-178C, ISO 26262)

4

Include examples of how you've translated high-level programme milestones into detailed technical deliverables for engineering teams

5

Show your experience with integrated scheduling tools (like MS Project or similar) and budget tracking for engineering departments

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience managing technical programmes in aerospace or automotive, particularly with systems safety and engineering teams', 'Examples of successfully delivering against challenging cost, schedule, and technical goals in complex engineering environments', "How your background aligns with Vertical Aerospace's mission of carbon-free air travel and sustainable aviation", 'Your approach to coordinating cross-functional inputs and resolving dependencies in multidisciplinary engineering settings']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Vertical Aerospace's specific eVTOL aircraft models (like the VX4) and their technical specifications
  • → The company's recent milestones, partnerships, and certification progress with aviation authorities
  • → The competitive landscape of urban air mobility and eVTOL development
  • → Systems engineering and safety certification standards relevant to eVTOL aircraft (ARP4754, SC-VTOL, etc.)

💬 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 milestones to detailed deliverables
2 How do you approach risk management and dependency tracking in aircraft development programmes?
3 Describe your experience with systems engineering lifecycles and safety certification processes
4 How would you coordinate inputs between systems safety, engineering, and other teams to ensure integrated aircraft-level deliverables?
5 What experience do you have with budget tracking for engineering departments, including support contracts and licenses?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic programme management experience without specific aerospace/automotive technical programme examples
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of systems engineering lifecycles or safety-critical development processes
  • Not showing awareness of Vertical Aerospace's specific mission and technology in the eVTOL space

📅 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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