Principal Loads & Aeroelastics Engineer

Responsibilities

• While this is not a formal line management role, you will mentor engineers within the Loads & Dynamics discipline, set technical standards and help shape the future direction of the function.
• Lead the development, validation and certification support of aircraft loads and aeroelastic models at component and full aircraft level
• Own and develop aircraft-level modelling capability, including reduced-order and global finite element models used for loads and aeroelastic analysis
• Deliver loads and aeroelastic certification activities, producing robust technical evidence and compliance documentation
• Drive integration of structural, aerodynamic and control system models to assess aircraft stability and dynamic response
• Develop automated, repeatable and traceable analysis workflows to support rapid design iteration and configuration control
• Oversee flutter, whirl flutter, gust, manoeuvre, fatigue and ground loads analysis across the flight envelope
• Lead model validation and correlation activities using higher-fidelity models, Ground Vibration Test (GVT) data and flight test data
• Support flight test definition, flutter clearance activities, model updating and certification campaigns
• Provide technical mentorship and establish engineering best practice within Loads & Dynamics
• Represent Loads & Aeroelasticity at senior technical reviews and cross-functional programme reviews

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in loads, aeroelasticity and structural dynamics
• Proven experience working on certified aircraft programmes, including direct involvement in compliance demonstration activities
• Strong expertise in aircraft loads, aeroelasticity, flutter, aeroelasticity and dynamic response analysis
• Experience developing, maintaining, validating or correlating aircraft-level finite element models and reduced-order models
• Strong understanding of CS-23/25/27/29 or equivalent certification requirements relating to loads, flutter and aeroelastic stability
• Experience supporting Ground Vibration Testing (GVT), Flight Flutter Testing (FFT) and model correlation activities
• Strong knowledge of flight mechanics and flight control systems, particularly in relation to aeroelastic behaviour
• Experience using industry-standard tools such as MSC Nastran, MATLAB and Python
• Ability to produce structured, traceable and certification-ready analysis and technical documentation
• Clear and confident communication when presenting complex technical evidence to multidisciplinary stakeholders
• Desirable
• Experience with eVTOL, distributed propulsion or novel aircraft configurations
• Experience with model reduction, super elements and structural dynamics correlation techniques
• Experience interacting with certification authorities such as EASA, CAA or FAA
• Experience with ZAERO, Nastran or equivalent aeroelastic toolsets
• 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

Benefits

Additional Information

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.

Your Match

How well this role fits your profile.

Company Intel

What employees say

Worked at vertical-aerospace? Share your experience