Standard Parts & Materials Component Engineer

Vertical Aerospace
Bristol, BS1 3BF, United Kingdom
Last month
Job Type
Permanent
Posted
2 Mar 2026 (Last month)

Our Mission


At Vertical Aerospace, we are pioneering the way for electric aviation. The Valo, 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. Valo is targeting airliner-level safety certification in 2028 ahead of entering service with our airline and operator customers.

We’re looking for a Standard Parts & Materials Engineer to help define, control and standardise the components that underpin our aircraft programme. This is a high-impact role at the intersection of engineering, procurement and product lifecycle management - ensuring that every standard part used on our aircraft is correctly defined, qualified and controlled from concept through to entry into service.

Reporting to the Head of Product Lifecycle Management, you will take ownership of the 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX) Standard Parts and Material Libraries, developing robust selection processes and configuration control methods that support certification and production readiness.

What You’ll Do

  • Create, develop and maintain 3DX Standard Part and Material Libraries

  • Define and manage the company’s approved parts selection lists and processes

  • Lead new part selection, part substitution and second-source qualification

  • Prepare and document procurement specifications for standard parts and materials

  • Ensure traceability and conformity to applicable aerospace standards

  • Provide technical liaison between suppliers, procurement, engineering and subcontractors

  • Support root cause investigations and quality problem resolution related to standard components

  • Monitor industry trends, failure modes, manufacturing processes and evolving standards

  • Contribute to engineering processes supporting product development, certification and entry into service

  • Provide guidance and training to engineering teams on part selection and configuration control

What You’ll Bring

  • Degree (or HND) in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace or related Engineering discipline

  • Significant relevant industry experience in aerospace or comparable regulated environments

  • Strong experience selecting and qualifying aerospace or automotive parts standard parts, including:

    • Mechanical fastening and locking systems

    • Latches, bearings and fluid system components

    • Electrical components, connectors and installation attachments

  • Understanding of component qualification, manufacturing processes and industry standards

  • Experience preparing specifications and procurement control documentation

  • Familiarity with Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE and CATIA V5/V6 (desirable)

  • Experience supporting design teams with component selection (mechanical and/or electrical)

  • Knowledge of configuration management and DMU design support (advantageous)

  • Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences

  • Fluent written and spoken English

#LI-OS1

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

Our people matter - we're not going anywhere without them. Which is why our company benefits go beyond the essentials.

  • 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.

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Advanced Mechanical Design Engineer (Thermal Runaway)

Vertical Aerospace Bristol, BS1 3BF, United Kingdom
Permanent

Machinist

Malloy Aeornautics Maidenhead, Berkshire, United Kingdom

Senior Electrical Design Engineer - Power Distribution

Vertical Aerospace Bristol, BS1 3BF, United Kingdom
Permanent

Configuration Controls Manager

Vertical Aerospace Bristol, BS1 3BF, United Kingdom
Permanent

Principal Propeller Engineer

Vertical Aerospace Bristol, BS1 3BF, United Kingdom
Permanent

Cost Data Manager

Vertical Aerospace Bristol, BS1 3BF, United Kingdom
Hybrid

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Where to Advertise UAV Jobs in the UK (2026 Guide)

Advertising UAV jobs in the UK requires a different approach to most technical hiring. The candidate pool spans aeronautical engineers, embedded systems developers, flight control specialists, RF engineers, payload integration experts and regulatory affairs professionals — a highly specific multidisciplinary mix that general job boards are poorly equipped to reach. The strongest UAV candidates often come from defence backgrounds, aerospace primes or academic research groups, and move between roles through specialist networks, industry events and sector-specific channels rather than mainstream platforms. This guide, published by UAVJobs.co.uk, covers where to advertise UAV and drone roles in the UK in 2026, how the main platforms compare, what employers should expect to pay, and what the data says about hiring across different role types.

New UAV Employers to Watch in 2026: UK and Global Companies Powering Drone and Autonomous Aviation Careers

Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are transforming how industries operate — from delivery and inspection to defence, agriculture, and emergency response. As regulations evolve and technology matures, demand for skilled professionals with expertise in UAV systems, autonomy, robotics, perception, and safety is rising rapidly. For individuals exploring roles on www.UAVJobs.co.uk , knowing which organisations are innovating, scaling, winning contracts, or investing in the UK market can make a critical difference when planning your career. This article highlights the top UAV employers to watch in 2026, from cutting‑edge UK startups to global drone innovators with growing UK operations.

How Many UAV Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a UAV Job?

If you’re aiming for a role in the Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) industry, it can feel like every job advert expects you to know a never-ending list of tools: flight control systems, autopilot frameworks, simulation platforms, sensor suites, communication stacks, mission planning software, GIS tools — and on it goes. With so many names and acronyms, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and assume you must learn every tool under the sun before you’ll be taken seriously by employers. Here’s the honest truth most UAV hiring managers won’t say out loud: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every tool — they hire you because you can use the right tools to solve real UAV problems safely, reliably and in context. Tools matter — absolutely — but they always serve a purpose: solving problems, reducing risk, improving performance, or guiding safer operations. So the real question isn’t how many tools you should know — it’s: which tools you should master, in what context, and why. This article breaks down what employers actually expect, which tools are essential, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so you look credible, confident and job-ready.