UK CAA – UAS Airspace Expert

Salary: £52,000 – £70,000 inclusive of Market Related Supplement – subject to suitable qualification

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Location: Hybrid/remote with Gatwick office base

Security Level: SC

Are you looking for an exciting new opportunity to influence the integration of new technologies such as UAS into UK airspace? The CAA is looking for a highly skilled expert, to join the rapidly expanding Airspace Regulation (AR) team during this exciting time as the UK looks to implement a new Airspace Modernisation Strategy. The strategy aims to create an aviation infrastructure for the future to make quicker, quieter and cleaner journeys whilst enabling new technology and user groups to safely integrate into UK Airspace.

You should have an in-depth understanding of UK airspace and air traffic operations, with an interest or experience in Uncrewed Air System (UAS) operations or integration. If you have the technical expertise and are excited by the idea of being involved in an opportunity like this, then the CAA wants to hear from you. This role provides the opportunity to be at the forefront of evolving airspace change proposals in the UK within a diverse technical team making key decisions. See your expertise help industry to meet the highest of safety standards in this highly rewarding role.

A bit about us…

The CAA is the UK’s aviation regulator and a public corporation of the Department for Transport, recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, ranging from core regulation that delivers a high degree of assurance of safety, security and consumer risk management, to future aviation and sustainability that builds advisory and regulatory capabilities that are both effective and scalable in enabling the UK to take a leading position in the development of new technologies including making a strong contribution to the sustainability challenge.

The restructuring of UK airspace is facilitated through airspace change proposals submitted to the CAA by a range of aviation and non-aviation stakeholders. These proposals vary greatly in terms of size, operational complexity, and scale of consequential impacts, and are required to follow the CAA’s CAP1616 Airspace Change approval process. The Airspace experts within AR perform oversight of such proposals with respect to their impact on existing airspace structures, airports, and all users of airspace, ensuring modern standards for regulatory decision-making are fair, transparent, consistent, and proportionate.

How will you make a difference:

• Support integrating the demands of diverse airspace users such as Uncrewed Air Systems, e-VTOL/hybrid aircraft, General Aviation, Military Aviation, Commercial Aviation, Spaceports and Space Launch Operators, all within the framework of the Airspace Modernisation Strategy whilst ensuring that the assessment of airspace impacts have been appropriately considered.
• Perform regulatory oversight of the current airspace system to supporting development of polices to integrate new users such as UAS and Advanced Air Mobility.
• Review and scrutinise airspace proposals from a wide range of sponsors such as operators, innovation companies, airports, the military, spaceports, producing objective and independent assessments of the direct and consequential airspace impacts for each proposed airspace change design.
• Lay out the conclusions of these assessments and form a key part of the CAA’s transparent decision-making process for approvals.
• Provide advice, guidance and direction to airspace change sponsors or any other interested parties regarding airspace issues related to operations conducted both inside and outside controlled airspace.
• Assist in developing and implementing strategies and policies for the consideration of airspace design, use or change in accordance with the Department for Transport’s directions to the CAA, UK legislation and Government regulation and guidance.
• As an Airspace Regulator you will act as the subject matter expert on airspace matters within the CAA.
• Your role will sit at the very heart of the UKs developing airspace, where you will work within cross capability teams both within Airspace Regulation, across the authority, across Government and with external sponsors including, amongst many, UAS technology companies.

The knowledge, skills and experience we are looking for:

• You will possess an excellent understanding of UK airspace and air traffic operations.
• Experience as an air traffic controller, professional aircrew or the ability to demonstrate an equivalent level of technical expertise.
• Understanding or experience in Uncrewed Air Systems and how to safely integrate them with other airspace users.
• Be innovative and able to develop novel solutions, based on expert knowledge and detailed understanding of Air Traffic Management and aviation law principles.
• A sound understanding of UK airspace, air traffic operations and emerging technology developments in the aviation industry.
• Awareness of the environmental impact of aviation, and of existing and developing strategies and actions to mitigate these.
• Knowledge of the CAA’s regulatory role, airspace change process, strategic plan and responsibilities is also desirable, but not essential.

The strengths and behaviours required:

• A flexible and committed individual with the ability to prioritise and multi-task in a highly dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• A team player with a willingness to embrace new working methods, tackle a job and get it done.
• Good analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills to deal tactfully, diplomatically, and authoritatively with people at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to deliver clear, concise, and effective guidance, and unbiased conclusions.
• A motivated individual who takes responsibility to deliver high-quality and useful work.
• Able to work both independently and in small teams – with only 1 expert from each specialist field allocated to each proposal, once fully trained there is a high degree of autonomy involved, whilst also working closely with different subject matter experts from environment, consultation and other technical areas.

How we care for you:

• You will become a valued member within a professional, supportive multi-disciplined team of civilian and military personnel. We will invest in you and allow you to grow your career, offering a wide variety of excellent internal and external professional and personal development training opportunities.
• Financial rewards: attractive salary, an envied Defined Contribution Pension Scheme where you elect what % of salary contribution you wish invest and the CAA will double that as well, up to a maximum of 12% (6% employee contribution), and other generous salary sacrifice schemes including an additional 5 days leave purchase scheme.
• Work/life balance: free onsite gym at our Head Office near Gatwick Airport and other discounted gym memberships, 28 days annual leave plus public holidays.
• We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.
• We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone.
• As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Our Values:

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on SC clearance please visit – Vetting explained – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Closing Date: Friday 12th January 2024

Interview Date: W/C Monday 22nd January 2024

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.

Apply here