Manufacturing Engineer - Aircraft. Composites

Vertical Aerospace Manufacturing Engineering Industrialisation Role

At Vertical Aerospace, we are pioneering the way for electric aviation. The VX4, 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 of having the VX4 in service by 2030.

As part of our Manufacturing Engineering Industrialisation team, you'll play a key role in taking the VX4 from prototype to full-scale production. This team leads the New Product Introduction (NPI) and industrialisation of our manufacturing and assembly systems, enabling Vertical Aerospace to bring our revolutionary aircraft to market. You will be instrumental in developing and industrialising the manufacturing systems that will support the VX4's entry into low-rate production and beyond. You'll help define and deliver the changes needed to meet our production volume targets, ensuring our transition from innovation to industrial excellence.

You'll work closely with design, operations, and supply chain teams to embed manufacturing excellence at every stage — from concept through to serial production.

• Lead and embed Design for Manufacture (DfM) with a focus on composite manufacturing.
• Drive industrialisation activities across composite and assembly domains, including within the supply chain.
• Integrate and lead supplier capability assessments and technical engagement.
• Define and implement Manufacturing Engineering best practices for the VX4.
• Develop and industrialise manufacturing capabilities for Vertical Aerospace's production facilities.
• Embed lean manufacturing principles across our operations.
• Lead Supplier PPAP work and technical approvals.
• Champion continuous improvement and innovation in composite manufacturing and assembly processes.

What You'll Bring:

• 8–10+ years' experience in Aerospace Manufacturing Engineering.
• Deep expertise in composite manufacturing — including hand lay-up, ATL, AFP, and co-curing techniques.
• Proven experience in New Product Introduction (NPI) and industrialisation of aerospace products.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Collaborative approach and ability to thrive in a cross-functional environment.
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and adapting in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with AS9145 APQP and Dassault 3Dx/Delmia platforms is highly desirable.

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:

• 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.