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 2029 ahead of entering service with our airline and operator customers.

Reporting directly to the VP Operations and Manufacturing, you’ll set the direction for Health, Safety and Environment across Vertical’s operations. This is a visible, business-wide leadership role with direct access to operational decision-making and the authority to influence how work is planned, prioritised and delivered.

This role is not about owning safety on behalf of the business. It is about creating the clarity, capability and accountability that enable every leader and team to own it.

You’ll lead and develop our HSE team, continuously improve our management system and assurance approach, and help build an open culture where people speak up, learning is shared and practical improvements are delivered.

This is an opportunity to shape HSE at a defining point in Vertical’s journey. You’ll have genuine influence over how we manage risk, develop leaders and build the systems needed to support our next stage of growth.

You’ll join an organisation that values brave choices, unconventional thinking, safety and openness—and a team that works together on difficult, meaningful problems.

What You’ll Do

• Own and deliver Vertical’s HSE strategy, annual plan and risk-based assurance programme.

• Act as the senior HSE adviser to executive and operational leaders, providing a clear view of material risks, trends and priorities.

• Coach and constructively challenge leaders to take ownership of HSE performance within their functions.

• Embed HSE into business planning, organisational change, programme delivery, facilities, procurement and operational decision-making.

• Ensure risks across our engineering, laboratory, test, prototype, facilities and operational environments are identified and effectively controlled.

• Lead significant accident, incident and near-miss investigations, ensuring learning results in meaningful and sustainable change.

• Maintain and continually improve an HSE management system aligned with ISO 45001.

• Lead audits, inspections, regulatory engagement and the timely closure of assurance actions.

• Develop clear, credible HSE performance reporting, using data and insight to focus the organisation on its most important risks.

• Own environmental compliance and improvement across the agreed remit, including waste, hazardous materials and pollution prevention.

• Define the organisation’s HSE training and competency strategy.

• Champion the Vertical Golden Safety Rules, Visible Felt Leadership and our Zero Harm ambition.

• Build an open, fair and learning-focused reporting culture.

• Lead, develop and set clear priorities for the HSE team.

What You’ll Bring

• A strong track record of leading HSE within a complex, safety-critical or high-hazard organisation.

• Evidence that you have influenced senior operational decisions and held leaders accountable for managing risk.

• Experience delivering measurable improvements in HSE performance, culture, governance or control effectiveness.

• The judgement and credibility to operate as a trusted partner to the VP Operations and Manufacturing and other senior leaders.

• Experience leading and developing an HSE team within a changing or growing organisation

Nice to Have

• Chartered membership of IOSH, or clear progression towards chartered status.

• ISO 45001 Lead Auditor qualification.

• Environmental management experience, including ISO 14001 or an IEMA qualification.

• Experience with high-voltage systems, batteries, flight test, prototype development or manufacturing operations.

• Experience supporting an organisation through rapid growth or operational change.

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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.