Airspace Regulator (Instrument Flight Procedures) - Qualified and Aspiring

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Join the UK Civil Aviation Authority as an Airspace Regulator (Instrument Flight Procedures) at Gatwick in a permanent full‑time role that blends technical oversight with policy input on the Airspace Change Process. You will assess IFP designs and organisations delivering IFP services and support regulatory decisions with internal teams and international partners. Essential criteria are formal PANS‑OPS Basic and Advanced training and proven ICAO PANS‑OPS IFR design experience, plus strong communication and project management skills and meticulous attention to detail. Hybrid working two days in the office, salary £57k‑£67k plus Market Related Supplement, BPSS clearance, no visa sponsorship, and potential training sponsorship with repayment if you leave within two years. Close 23 August 2026; interviews w/c 1 or 7 September. Prepare a CV highlighting IFR design capability and cross‑functional impact and be ready for National Security Vetting and possible relocation within 15 miles of Aviation House.

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Salary: £57,000 up to £67,000 dependent upon experience plus the relevant Market Related Supplement (exact value to be discussed at interview)

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: BPSS

Location: Gatwick – 2 days per week office attendance expected

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

 

Closing Date: Sunday 23rd August 2026

Interview Date: W/C Tuesday 1st or Monday 7th September

 

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

 

The Role

 

As an Airspace Regulator (Instrument Flight Procedures), you will be responsible for the safety oversight of Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) in the UK airspace.

 

You will work with a team of experts and specialists to carry out technical assessments of airspace change proposals, supporting regulatory decision-making in line with the Airspace Change Process, as detailed in CAP 1616.

 

In this role, you will also work with colleagues across the CAA to provide technical guidance to airspace change sponsors, industry, and other external stakeholders.

 

As a subject matter expert in Instrument Flight Procedures, you will have the opportunity to participate in working groups and technical forums where you will influence the development of IFP technical design criteria.

 

Core Accountabilities

 

• Assess applications from organisations or individuals wishing to be approved to deliver IFP design services in the UK
• Assess IFP designs submitted to the UK CAA as part of the Airspace Change Process or 5 Year Periodic reviews
• Conduct regulatory oversight of UK Approved Procedure Design Organisations
• Contribute to the Performance Based Oversight process as Technical Specialist for allocated entities to ensure shared intelligence on industry performance is available to support regulatory oversight on the basis of safety performance and in accordance with the principles and practices of Better Regulation.
• Support the development of IFP policies within the CAA
• Provide guidance, support and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders as appropriate, including other teams within AAA, Corporate Strategy & Policy, Safety & Business Delivery, International Group, ICAO, Eurocontrol and other key international bodies. 
• Maintain an appropriate balance of knowledge, skills and qualifications in instrument flight procedure design
• Capture and readily share safety-relevant intelligence, information and analysis from multiple internal and external sources with all CAA groups.   
• Provide support to CAAi contracts as directed. 
• Assist other areas of the CAA when required and requested by the AR management team

 

About You

 

Essential Criteria

 

• Have successfully completed formal PANS-OPS Basic and Advanced training in, and possess a high degree of theoretical knowledge of ICAO PANS-OPS Instrument Flight Procedure Design
• Be competent and have proven experience in the design of Instrument Flight Procedures as specified in ICAO PANS-OPS and filed National differences. 
• Be a strong collaborator who can establish personal credibility with technical specialists and develop constructive working relationships
• Have proven ability to communicate technical matters effectively to a range of audiences through a variety of formats, presenting issues and supporting arguments in a concise yet comprehensive manner
• Have a demonstrable ability to methodically analyse and resolve complex three-dimensional challenges
• Have a strong attention to detail
• Possess strong report-writing skills
• Have a proven track record of managing multiple project deadlines and competing priorities

 

Desirable Criteria

 

• Extensive knowledge and experience relating to airspace design 
• Possess a high level of understanding of the different IFP software packages used by the Approved Procedure Design Organisations and Designers. 
• Have a good working knowledge of aeronautical information, charts, topographical mapping, and coordinate systems including conversions and projections.
• Have knowledge of, and awareness of technical developments in aviation, with particular emphasis on navigation databases and aircraft flight management system capabilities.
• Broad experience and knowledge of airspace change principles, air traffic management, and air traffic control operations in UK airspace, gained through a similar, aviation-related position.
• Strong interpersonal skills with experience of managing complex projects and leading, coordinating and contributing to multi-disciplinary teams.
• Professional credibility to support effective application of previous experience and expertise to novel and potentially contentious policy issues.  
• Have an in-depth understanding of ARINC coding principles for use in the coding of PBN IFPs when applied in different aircraft flight management systems (FMS/C). 
• Knowledge of the UK Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS).
• Understanding of the Civil Aviation Authority and the UK aviation industry, along with key legislative factors influencing the Civil Aviation Authority’s role as an airspace regulator, such as the Civil Aviation Act, Air Navigation Order, Rules of the Air Regulations, and the appropriate MAA Regulatory Publications.

 

As airspace and technology continue to evolve, our team is growing to meet the increasing demand for airspace change programmes and the introduction of new Instrument Flight Procedures. We recognise that interested applicants may not meet every requirement listed in this profile. For this reason, we welcome applications from individuals who may not yet have all the required experience but who demonstrate the skills, aptitude and potential to succeed. We are committed to providing the training and support needed to develop into the role.

 

If successful – the preferred candidate(s) may be required to undergo technical training which the CAA will arrange.  The preferred candidate(s) would need to be prepared to enter into a Sponsorship Agreement whereby if the employee were to leave within 2 years – a proportion of the training costs would need to be recovered.

 

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.

 

BPSS - To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

 

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

 

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

 

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.

 

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

 

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

 

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

 

Inclusive Recruitment

 

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be guaranteed an interview. Find out more about the Disability Confident Scheme. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process

 

We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

 

Working With Us

 

Explore What We Offer section on our careers website to find out about our benefits and how we support work-life balance.

Our Values

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

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.