Location: Gatwick, GB
Salary: Up to £110,000 per annum (inclusive of a Market Related Supplement, subject to relevant qualifications & experience)
Contract Type: Full Time Permanent
Location: Gatwick / Hybrid
Security Level: SC
Visa Restrictions: This position does not currently offer visa sponsorship.
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
This role is for aviation professionals whose judgement is trusted by operators, regulators, and the industry. At Flight Operations Inspector, you’ll work directly with operators, applying real‑world judgement to approvals, oversight, and safety assurance. The role values experience, independence, and credibility, and gives you the authority to use all three. You will also interface with all sectors of the industry—from Commercial Air Transport to Specialised Operation—to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and requirements.
eVTOL Specialist
* On secondment to the Policy department, liaise, advise and develop the eVTOL Regulatory Framework.
* Interface with the growing eVTOL industry.
* Act as the interface between Policy and Flight Operations while maintaining links with external departments such as the DfT, eVTOL industry and its future customers.
Flight Operations Inspector
* Inspect Rotary Wing Operators for competence in relation to legislation and requirements.
* Complete a programme of inspections, flights and audits for each of the allocated operators.
* Prioritise non‑compliances to establish a timetable of action and ensure that actions are completed by the operator to rectify non‑compliance and prevent recurrence.
* Process requests from operators for exemptions and permissions from legislative requirements.
* Influence safety and proportionality (leading beyond authority) and deliver outcomes internationally to mitigate safety concerns or support the CAA International Group.
* Consider all enforcement options available in the toolkit and highlight issues that might lead to enforcement activity.
* Decide on commissioning an investigation when a breach of aviation law is suspected or resulting from a recommendation from the IET.
* Capture and share safety‑relevant intelligence, information and analysis from multiple internal and external sources with all CAA groups.
* Apply the ESP principles of Performance Based Oversight in accordance with the ESP linear process and consistent with the wider CAA approach.
* Deliver outcome‑focused oversight that considers statutory compliance, risk and performance with a safety outcome focus.
* Escalate risks to the appropriate level within the Safety and Airspace Regulations Group.
* Ensure that managing safety is a high priority for all industry accountable managers.
About You
Ideally, you will have several years of proven success in a managerial position within aviation regulation, commercial air transport, an Approved Training Organisation or a related sector, supported by a relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience.
Experience within the eVTOL industry would also be preferable, along with a good working knowledge of UK Aviation Regulation.
* Able to evidence time spent in command of aircraft employed in Commercial Air Transport operations or as an Instructor/Senior Examiner, and time spent in a managerial or training post working for a UK AOC holder or Approved Training Organisation.
* Hold an Air Transport Pilot’s Licence granted by the CAA.
* Sufficient aviation experience to comprehend the team’s tasks, and have a broad understanding of technical issues to monitor, guide and make decisions on major safety issues involved in the section.
* Demonstrated success in the implementation and application of management systems, business planning, performance monitoring (both safety and operational), risk assessment and mitigation, training development, and effective change management.
* Proven experience in resource management, including governance oversight and accountability.
* Highly developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team and respond promptly, calmly and appropriately to unexpected or urgent situations.
* Professional, polite, empathetic and tactful in all interactions.
* Highly organised, able to exercise initiative and plan effectively to achieve results.
* Confident and robust decision‑maker, capable of balancing risk, priorities and outcomes.
* Possesses a strong analytical and enquiring mindset, focused on identifying process gaps and driving continuous improvement through practical, solution‑oriented recommendations.
* Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to manage, adjust and accommodate shifting or unconventional priorities as required.
* Full UK driving licence.
* Understanding of the concepts and future deliverables of eVTOL.
* Experience of working with UK Aviation Regulations to create, amend or submit documents such as operational manuals.
* Current Type and Instrument Rating for Rotorcraft.
* Experience in HOFO, Charter or Blue Light operations.
* Experience as a nominated person for AOC or ATO.
* Proven level of modern IT skills.
Additional Security Information
For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or nationally protected information. Post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance. If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application. For this role, a reasonable period of residency in the UK is typically five years.
Inclusive Recruitment
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. 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.
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