Advanced Thermal Modelling Engineer

Department: Powertrain

Location: Bristol Office

Employment Type: FullTime

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 now looking for an Advanced Thermal Engineer to play a key role in shaping the thermal performance of our aircraft. This role sits at the heart of our battery and powertrain development, combining high-fidelity modelling with system-level thinking to ensure safe, efficient and certifiable performance.

What you’ll do

• Lead battery thermal CFD analysis, supporting design verification across key programme milestones

• Develop and apply high-fidelity and system-level thermal models across battery and wider vehicle systems

• Contribute to powertrain and avionics thermal analysis, supporting overall vehicle performance

• Support design decisions through simulation, trade studies and engineering insight

• Work cross-functionally with design, test and systems teams to align modelling with real-world outcomes

• Correlate simulation with test data to validate models and improve confidence in results

• Define appropriate modelling approaches to answer complex engineering questions

• Communicate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

• Contribute to the development of tools, methods and best practices in thermal modelling

• Produce high-quality technical documentation to support design and certification

• Engage with external partners including universities and research organisations

• Provide technical oversight and guidance to junior engineers, reviewing their work in detail and supporting the development of robust, high-quality analysis across the team

What you'll bring

• Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace or a related engineering discipline

• Strong experience in thermal CFD analysis (e.g. Ansys Fluent, Star-CCM+)

• Experience in battery thermal modelling strongly preferred but Modelling experience in alternative Powertrain systems will be considered

• Knowledge of heat transfer, fluid dynamics and thermal management systems

• Experience using MATLAB / Simulink / Simscape

• Proven ability to correlate simulation results with test data

• Understanding of how system-level requirements (performance, safety, durability) influence modelling

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to work from first principles

• Ability to work autonomously and deliver in a fast-paced environment

• Clear and confident communication skills

#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.