CNS/ATM Engineer – Air Traffic Control System Procurement

Think Research Ltd; Bournemouth, Farnborough; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity to work on significant infrastructure projects

Multidisciplinary international team environment

Job summary

Think Research Ltd is looking for experienced CNS/ATM engineers to support air traffic control systems procurement and oversight. The role involves ensuring compliance with safety standards and stakeholder engagement while working on significant infrastructure projects.

The successful candidates will have a degree in a relevant field and extensive experience in civil aviation systems engineering. Opportunities are based in Bournemouth or Farnborough, with a multidisciplinary international team.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in CNS/ATM system engineering within civil aviation.
• Strong understanding of ICAO, EASA and/or UK CAA regulations.
• Right to work in the UK/EU and ability to travel globally.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert engineering input into tender specifications and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with international aviation safety standards.
• Oversee system integration, testing, and commissioning activities.

Skills

CNS/ATM system engineering

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Cybersecurity requirements in ATM environments

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

ATC systems

Procurement regulations

Job description

Location: UK and EU locationsSalary: Competitive, commensurate with experience

We are seeking to fill at least two roles for highly qualified and experienced CNS/ATM engineers to support the technical oversight and procurement of new air traffic control (ATC) systems on behalf of various clients. These roles are to help specify, procure and implement a range of communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) infrastructure and air traffic management (ATM) systems in line with ICAO, EASA, and UK CAA standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide expert engineering input into tender specifications, technical documentation, and supplier evaluation criteria for a range of CNS/ATM systems.
• Ensure compliance with international and European aviation safety and interoperability standards (e.g., ICAO Annex 10, Eurocontrol specifications, EASA CS-ANS).
• Function as the technical liaison between the airport authority, regulatory bodies, system integrators, and equipment vendors.
• Oversee and coordinate system integration, site preparation, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Ensure continuity of ATC operations during transition periods through risk-managed implementation planning.
• Support safety case development, verification & validation, and regulatory approvals.
• Advise on the lifecycle cost, maintainability, cybersecurity, and scalability of proposed systems.
• Prepare technical reports and provide progress updates to senior stakeholders and programme boards.

Requirements:

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in CNS/ATM system engineering within civil aviation.
• Proven track record in systems design, procurement or deployment of ATC systems (e.g., radar, ADS-B, voice comms, surveillance automation, flight data processing).
• Strong understanding of ICAO, EASA and/or UK CAA regulations and guidance.
• Experience working with national aviation authorities or ANSPs in the UK/EU.
• Excellent project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Right to work in the UK/EU (depending on the role) and ability to travel globally.
• Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Previous experience working in airport development or ATC tower projects.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity requirements in ATM environments (e.g., NIS2 Directive).
• Proficiency in procurement regulations (e.g., EU Public Procurement Directives).
• Familiarity in applying ATC concepts e.g. A-SMGCS, CDM, AMAN, DMAN, etc.
• Experience in the implementation of EFPS/ICWP.

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to play a pivotal role in a range of significant infrastructure projects.
• Work within a multidisciplinary, international team of aviation consultants and engineering professionals.
• Projects that develop the creative application of your knowledge.

We would expect new recruits to be able to be based at our offices in Bournemouth or Farnborough.

PLEASE NOTE Since Brexit changed our ability to freely recruit applicants from anywhere in the EU we can only accept and process applications from UK nationals and EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status. We cannot accept or process applications from anyone requiring a Visa or anyone holding a Graduate Visa. Applications which do not meet this requirement will be deleted without processing.