[2025/119] - ATC Operations Specialist - Next Gen ATM

Global Air Navigation Services L.L.C.; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 450,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and safety compliance

Training and certification opportunities

Job summary

A leading air navigation service provider is looking for an experienced ATC Operations Specialist to offer specialized knowledge in air traffic operations. The role requires a minimum of 10 years of experience in the ATC environment, including hands-on expertise in leading design reviews and compliances for complex ATM projects. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree and an ATC license, with strong project management skills. This position is based in Abu Dhabi and offers opportunities to work on significant and impactful projects.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in Air Traffic Control as a licensed ATCO.
• At least 4 years as an ATC OPS Specialist or consultant.
• Proven capability in delivering operational expertise of large ATM projects.

Responsibilities

• Act as the focal point for ATC/ATM operations in designated projects.
• Prepare feasibility studies and design documents.
• Conduct Technical Evaluations of supplier proposals.
• Lead inspection and verification activities for projects.

Skills

ATC Operations knowledge

Air Traffic Control experience

Project management skills

Technical writing

Problem-solving abilities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aviation or equivalent

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

MS Project

Job description

Position Title ATC Operations Specialist - Next Gen ATM

Nationality Restriction No Restriction

Job Purpose

To provide specialist ATC operations knowledge and subject matter expertise on defining, reviewing, validating and verifying air traffic operations requirements and compliance at every stage of the project life cycle, for the new ATM systems and operational changes being implemented as independent projects or as part of complex CNS/ATM programmes.

Duties, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Act as the ANS Projects’ focal point on ATC/ATM Operations domain to provide subject matter expertise for designated projects . Responsibilities include scoping of operational requirements and design reviews, supervision and verification of implementation, operational transition and validation management, all necessary operational co-ordination and implementation and updating of applicable operational processes.
• Provide subject matter expertise for the preparation of feasibility studies, preliminary design documents, business cases, statement of works (SOW), Concept/Method of Operations, safety assessments and operational requirements for the CNS/ATM projects and programmes.
• Provide subject matter expertise for the Technical Evaluation of proposals received from Suppliers/bidders for the CNS/ATM projects and programmes.
• Attend technical discussions/meetings with customer & supplier stakeholders , during pre-tender, tendering and post contract award to provide expertise for the successful scope definition, RFP evaluation and project implementation .
• Prepare and deliver project documentation and technical presentations as required by the PM, to stakeholders and discuss/answer clarifications, leading the technical team for successful project implementation .
• Carry out comprehensive reviews of all applicable submittals related to the Project/ work package /systems , including but not limited to System Design Documents (SDDs), Concept/Method of Operations , inspection test plans, VCRM and VDD submittals and provide review feedback with coded responses and detailed comments / recommendation for approval to the Project Manager.
• Provide ATC OPS subject matter expertise into the Preliminary, Interim and Critical Design Reviews of the CNS/ATM projects and programmes to achieve timely approvals and milestones .
• Understand complex operational , design and integration issues to resolve and progress the assigned work packages .
• Work with the successful contractors and other technical/operations SMEs within the nominated ANS project team, to manage the operational deliverables of the project /programme as per contractual scope of delivery, terms & conditions, and monitor progress against plan as directed by the Project Manager.
• Participate in scheduled and unscheduled project activities to ensure adherence to plan and to identify any challenges / risks in a proactive manner and put mitigation plans in place
• Ensure that all project scope/systems are implemented in full compliance with the contract operational requirement and technical specifications, by using the VCRM tools and process to Validate and Verify that the stated requirements are fully delivered with acceptable quality and operational readiness by the CNS/ATM projects and programmes.
• Identify and manage design/technical elements and associated risks by issuing Technical Query / Clarification exchanges and/or MoM with project stakeholders for agreement.
• Provide subject matter expertise acting as a ATC OPS lead participating in all assigned inspection/verification/acceptance activities on the project, including but not limited to the Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) , Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) , and Operational Verification(OV).
• Co-ordinate and arrange operational training s, ORDs and OVs .
• Remain up to date with the changes in applicable health & safety regulations and quality standards to ensure adherence at all times
• Prepare documentation for operational handover of systems/sub-systems to the end user(s).
• Review and Validate As-built / Project Closeout documentation, including but not limited to as-built/record drawings, operational and maintenance manuals, Method of operations and contingency/rollback procedures .
• Review the datasets to ensure ATM systems are configured correctly with the applicable latest data
• Provide necessary assistance to the Approach Team Leaders and / or Head of Approach to support day to day management of Approach operations during project implementation.
• Represent ANS at designated meetings and with specified stakeholders to provide updates, inputs and subject matter expertise as required
• Prepare all necessary project documentation such as concept of operations, operational requirements, management of change /AMC submissions , safety assessment etc., to ensure regulatory and operational requirements are met
• Maintain document control for ATM projects to ensure regulatory requirements are fully complied with
• Perform additional responsibilities that may arise from time to time to ensure operational and / or organisational requirements are met
• Maintain GCAA required currency as an ATCO to ensure technical knowledge and operations competencies remain valid .
• Safety responsibilities and accountabilities of this position are detailed in the Safety Management Manual of the organization. The Job holder is required to maintain awareness and knowledge in relation to their safety responsibilities associated with their job function

Educational Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree / Higher Diploma in a relevant discipline (Aviation, Business or equivalent)

Professional Certifications

• Current GCAA (or equivalent) air traffic control licence(s) in approach control surveillance required
• Project Management qualification, such as PMP/ PRINCE2 preferred

Experience

• A minimum of 10 years in an Air Traffic Control(ATC) environment as a licensed ATCO(Air Traffic Controller), out of which minimum of 4 years’ experience as an ATC OPS Specialist/consultant in leading detailed design/critical design reviews from operational perspective, including HMI design, human factors, safety nets / monitoring aids, safety cases and requirements management, commissioning, SAT / V&V (Verification & Validation), operational transitions, floorwalking support and effective technical presentations on operational/ATM projects matters.
• Proven capability in delivering operational expertise & ORD/ORAT of large, multi-million projects and support services. Ideally to have a hands‑on experience in major ATM Automation projects with solid background of fulfilling the ATC OPS Subject Matter Expert /Specialist role from conops, design through to project delivery, and will provide valuable input into design reviews, verifications , transitions and client discussions.

Special Technical & Interpersonal Skills

• The ATC Operations Specialist (projects) will fulfil the ATC & ATM Subject Matter Expert lead role, with the relevant Air Traffic Control(ATC) Operations knowledge and experience required to deliver the CONOPS/User Requirements specification, Design & Submittals Reviews for ATC Operational functions, safetynets and HMI, installation supervision, testing and commissioning scope of ANS projects. This role requires expertise in both ATC Operations as well as systems verification/operational migration & validation areas.
• The successful ATC Operations Specialist will work on airport CNS/ATM projects and system packages within the complex ATM projects/programmes, with multi‑disciplinary ANSP and contractor project teams, reporting to the PM, and will ideally have specialist project expertise in the design and implementation of such CNS/ATM systems from the ATC/ATM operations perspective. It will require excellent ATC operations, project implementation experience and relevant management skills in a dynamic CNS/ATM project execution and live ATC operational environment.
• Knowledge and experience of the following ( required ) :
• English language proficiency and technical writing experience .
• Knowledge and experience of QMS/IMS framework and practice (ISO standards 9001, 14001, 45001) in a project management and organisational framework.
• Software usage proficiency in Office IT (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook), and MS Project required to perform this function.
• International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) SARPs and Annexes
• UAE Civil Aviation (GCAA) Regulations (CARs), and regulatory approval processes (AMCs/CAAPs)
• Working on complex ATM projects
• Designing /managing airspace and developing ATS procedures
• Generating project requirement and specification documents, such as URD/SOWs , concept of operations, operational requirements
• Operational Experience with Advanced ATC systems used in the Approach environment
• Team player and problem solver with excellent a ttention to detail , integrity and strong work ethics .
• Ability to work under pressure in a deadline-oriented environment without compromising project quality and technical competency.
• High level of Emotional Intelligence
• ANS Operations and Project Documentation
• Emerging Air Traffic Management concepts and technologies
• Knowledge and experience of the following (preferred) :
• ANS Data Management
• Validation and Verification processes in a mission critical project environment.
• Requirements capture / verification processes and software, e.g. VCRM, DOORS/Jama.
• Testing procedures for ATM systems
• Integrat ion of ATM systems, including interfaces to external systems
• Risk, safety and change management in an ANS environment.
• QMS/IMS and SMS standards
• Project management software such as MS Project , Aconex
• Keep up to date on current and emerging technologies in the ATC/ATM domain, and maintain applicable licenses, technical certifications and interests.