Salary: Up to £93,000 dependent upon experience
Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time
Security Level: BPSS
Visa Restrictions: This position does not 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
Enabling routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operations within the current aviation system is extremely complex. Operations and the safety cases that support them are diverse.
The Technical Airspace Architecture Owner is responsible for the airspace architecture that will enable these operations to integrate safely and routinely into UK airspace. This requires an understanding of the current and future system interactions to inform technical, oversight and policy requirements, providing technical guidance and oversight to drive forward solutions for complex technical issues and translating industry direction into actionable policy.
* Build and lead a diverse, multi‑disciplinary team of technical leads and subject‑matter experts to tackle some of the most complex challenges of emerging technologies in aviation and aerospace
* Develop, evidence and communicate areas of focus in strategic areas of Air Traffic Management and Air Navigation Services
* Devise and deliver the technical elements of the programme to drive changes to policy and regulatory frameworks to support the implementation of the Airspace Architecture
* Ensure the individual policies come together as an effective suite of risk mitigations that align to current and future regulatory safety management systems
* Build a programme team with the skills and competencies to provide the CAA with a centre of excellence on your area of focus
* Lead a team of regulatory specialists and subject‑matter experts
* Contribute to the strategic and technical direction for the Future ATM/ANS programme
* Establish and chair both internal and external technical forums required to facilitate decision making and drive forward the delivery of the programme
* Lead the teams to work closely with colleagues within the business areas to develop and implement policy response to challenge themes and develop and implement new regulations through researching and reviewing international development of regulations and industry standards for innovation
* Develop roadmaps for how these technologies could develop in the aviation ecosystem and explore the key regulatory challenges arising from delivering the Airspace Modernisation programme projects in terms of risk areas and regulatory gaps that will provide insight and shape future policy recommendations
* Provide input into the legislative framework within the CAA to progress changes to regulations required to enable these technologies to enter the market safely and securely
* Develop resource and prioritisation estimates to ensure the appropriate involvement from around the CAA to work on the Challenge initiatives
* Build strong internal networks with stakeholders across the CAA’s business and external networks with government departments, regulators and industry standard bodies to provide insight and collaboration on the programmes you are working on and those across the Innovation Hub
* Work closely with the Strategy and policy leads to maintain strong links to the key CAA strategic initiatives and areas that are associated with the new technology themes
About You
* Ability to lead and manage a diverse team in an ambiguous environment where there are currently no standards or regulations and where priorities can change
* Proven track record of delivering complex projects and programmes
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to take complex subjects and distil them into clear direction, objectives and work programmes
* Clear understanding of the need to deliver improvements in the way that new and existing airspace users receive the right information in the right place at the right time to support safety and operational efficiency
* Good understanding of the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP) and Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS) with a specific understanding of future ATM/ANS concepts within the context of the GANP and AMS, including the associated aims, objectives and potential issues
* Good working knowledge of legacy aviation industry information services and networks and related national legislation with a sound understanding of implications for industry and airspace users
* Extensive experience in at least one of the following domains:
o Traditional aviation systems, such as systems used in air traffic management (ATM) or air navigation services (ANS) or communication, navigation, surveillance and spectrum (CNSS)
o Uncrewed aviation systems, such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS), unmanned traffic management (UTM) or detect and avoid (DAA)
* Working knowledge of international directions, e.g. ICAO, EASA, JARUS, with an ability to translate back into programme impacts and considerations
* Skilled coach and mentor, able to seek out information to inform the project and support the generation of new ideas
* Critical mindset with the ability to role‑model constructively challenging industry and colleagues
* Breadth of experience in innovation and implementation that will shape the future of aviation, e.g. artificial intelligence, digitisation and automation, RPAS, UTM, UAM, electrification and battery technologies
* Breadth of experience in regulation, either within an aviation specialism (such as airspace, airworthiness, air traffic management, flight operations, UAS, aviation security, or consumer protection) or another safety‑critical industry
* Degree level education or equivalent industry experience
* Understanding and alignment of JARUS direction of travel, and ability to translate back into programme impacts and considerations
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
Closing Date: Tuesday 5th May 2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr