Frequency Management Specialist (Surveillance)

Civil Aviation Authority; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the United Kingdom seeks a technically skilled professional to manage frequency coordination for radar systems and support the CNS team. You will assess SSR/IFF equipment, monitor spectrum usage, and coordinate with national and international partners to ensure safe aviation operations.

The role requires a degree or equivalent experience, knowledge of RF engineering and surveillance standards, and the ability to work across diverse stakeholders while maintaining

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent technical experience in surveillance or RF engineering.
• Understanding of cooperative and non-cooperative air traffic surveillance systems.
• Experience with civilian/military surveillance systems and IFF basics.
• Ability to analyse complex technical information and communicate findings.
• Security cleared at SC level or eligible for such clearance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage UK SSR/IFF/Mode S activities within CNS.
• Assess SSR/IFF systems and ensure safe spectrum use (1030/1090 MHz).
• Monitor SSR environment performance with multiple information sources.
• Collaborate with policy specialists to evaluate equipment performance.
• Maintain records and certifications (PSR/SSR databases, CAP 761).
• Liaise with Eurocontrol, national and military groups; UK focal point for N-SUR.
• Support relocation and documentation updates for CNS infrastructure.

Skills

Surveillance knowledge

IFF systems

SSR systems

Radio frequency engineering

Team collaboration

Technical documentation

Communication skills

Education

Relevant degree

Tools

ATDI HTZ

Job description

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Date: 20 Oct 2026

Location: Gatwick, GB

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: SC

Location: Gatwick – Hybrid

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Interview Date: w/c Monday 16th November 2026

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

The principal aim of this post is to ensure the efficient running of the CAA’s frequency Management activities for both primary and secondary surveillance radar as well as providing support to the wider Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) team. The role requires the technical assessment of applications and modifications to surveillance equipment though following CAA and European frequency coordination processes. The post also provides essential operational support for secondary radar surveillance systems and helps to deconflict military equipment operating in the same frequency bands as civil CNS systems. The post provides critical technical support to the NISC.

• Support the National Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) and Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) Committee (NISC) as the NISC Technical Officer and secretary (as defined in CAP761).
• Provide assessment and approval of SSR/IFF systems to ensure safe and efficient use of the 1030/1090MHz spectrum.
• Utilising a range of tools and information sources, monitor the performance of the SSR environment in the UK.
• Working in collaboration with Surveillance Policy Specialist to analyse and assess performance information to help determine poor performing surveillance equipment being operated in the UK.
• Coordinate civilian aviation and maritime Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) approvals.
• Provide coordination of military PSR and SSR requirements and changes. Including requests to support trials and exercises.
• Ensure internal records and certification, including PSR and SSR radar databases are updated and maintained.
• Maintain relevant CAP’s and forms including CAP 761, Operation of IFF/SSR interrogators in the UK.
• In collaboration with the Surveillance Policy Specialist, review and issue Mode S exemptions for airborne surveillance equipage in accordance with CAA procedures.
• Act as the UK focal point for the centralised European allocation and coordination of Mode S interrogator codes (MICA) and surveillance maps.
• Liaise with the CNS+S policy specialists to ensure that relevant surveillance policy and processes are maintained, consistent with international principles and any legislation in force.
• Oversee management of ICAO 24-bit address codes for the UK, manage code applications for non-registered aircraft and portable EC devices (CAP 1391). Maintain oversight of UK nominated authorities and where necessary liaise with other capability teams. Liaise with ASSI regarding high level address requirements for UK overseas territories and crown dependencies.
• Coordinate and influence at the appropriate Eurocontrol, National and military working groups and forums. In particular, act as UK focal point for Eurocontrol Network Surveillance (N-SUR) group as necessary
• Ensure adequate maintenance of relevant published information including CAA website content and internal documentation.
• Management of the 1090 environment using tools provided by Eurocontrol, in the field stuff, use of specialist equipment, analysis of data provided, working with the poilicy role to establish a cause and investigate.
• Oversee and maintain the UK elements of the European SSR monitoring network.

About You

• A relevant degree or equivalent technical industry experience.
• In-depth knowledge regarding the principles of cooperative and non-cooperative air traffic surveillance systems and military Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems.
• Experience working with civilian and military air traffic surveillance systems
• Attention to detail and accuracy in processing and analysing technical and sensitive information
• Ability to work in a team and in a collaborative environment with internal and external stakeholders at national and international levels, with and without authority.
• Good communication skills for the production and presentation of documents and briefings.
• Knowledge of radio frequency engineering and/or radio propagation principles
• Please note this role requires the job holder to be security cleared to UK Government ‘SC’ clearance level. This is due to the required interaction with defence and potential document classification handling.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple conflicting requests and demands from a range of stakeholders
• An understanding of the SSR IFF signal structure to support radar analysis
• Experience of using modern frequency management techniques
• An understanding of radio frequency propagation and experience utilizing modelling tools such as ATDI HTZ.
• Familiar with Eurocontrol surveillance standards including the Specification for ATM Surveillance System Performance (ESASSP)
• Working knowledge of military and civilian surveillance manufacturers and equipment models
• Knowledge of ADS-B technology

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.

SC - To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.For this role t his will need to be 5 years.

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

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 Intelligenceby 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, factuallyaccurateand taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has beenidentified(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

Interview Date: w/c Monday 16th November 2026

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