Inspector ATS (Operations)

Civil Aviation Authority; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development opportunities

Benefits and work‑life balance support

Job summary

The Civil Aviation Authority is seeking an experienced professional to lead audits, inspections and assurance activities within the Airspace, Air Traffic Management Infrastructure function. The role requires substantial ATS experience and an ATCO licence, with hybrid working and a five-year UK residency for security clearance.

You will assess licences, governance, safety culture and regulatory compliance across organisations, lead investigations, analyse safety data, and represent the CAA at

Qualifications

• Significant operational experience in an Air Traffic Services environment.
• Applying operational procedures and safety requirements in a regulated aviation setting.
• Making proportionate, evidence-based decisions in safety-critical environments.
• Knowledge of UK ATM/ANS regulatory requirements and ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices.
• Understanding of ATS personnel licensing frameworks and modern performance-based and risk-based oversight.
• Knowledge of safety management systems and risk assessment methodologies.
• Thorough understanding of ATS operations and regulatory requirements.
• Clear, evidence-based report writing, and gathering and evaluating information from multiple sources for stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Plan, lead and deliver audits, inspections and assurance activities under risk-based oversight and approved programmes.
• Act as technical specialist for allocated organisations, giving operational insight to performance-based oversight.
• Assess the competence and suitability of ATS personnel for the grant, validation, revalidation and renewal of licences, ratings and privileges.
• Evaluate governance, safety management, resilience arrangements and safety culture of regulated organisations.
• Assess operational, technical and organisational changes for regulatory compliance and associated safety risk.
• Lead or support investigations into regulatory concerns, significant occurrences and emerging safety issues.
• Analyse operational and safety data to identify trends, risks and areas needing regulatory attention.
• Build professional relationships with regulated organisations while keeping regulatory independence and objectivity.
• Represent the CAA at industry meetings, working groups and stakeholder engagements.
• Contribute to regulatory policy development and continuous improvement across ATM oversight.
• Coach, mentor and deliver inspector training to develop colleagues.
• Champion CAA values, professional standards and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Skills

ATS operations

Regulatory oversight

Evidence-based decisions

Report writing

Stakeholder engagement

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Regulatory knowledge

Job description

This permanent role sits in the Airspace, Air Traffic Management Infrastructure function of the Safety and Airspace Regulation Group at the Civil Aviation Authority. The post leads audits, inspections and assurance of Air Navigation Service Providers, from major airports to small ATS units. Applicants need significant operational ATS experience and an ATCO licence, and the role involves hybrid working with at least two days a week away from home. Security clearance requires five years' UK residency, and visa sponsorship is not offered.

What the job involves

• Plan, lead and deliver audits, inspections and assurance activities under risk-based oversight and approved programmes
• Act as technical specialist for allocated organisations, giving operational insight to performance-based oversight
• Assess the competence and suitability of ATS personnel for the grant, validation, revalidation and renewal of licences, ratings and privileges
• Evaluate governance, safety management, resilience arrangements and safety culture of regulated organisations
• Assess operational, technical and organisational changes for regulatory compliance and associated safety risk
• Lead or support investigations into regulatory concerns, significant occurrences and emerging safety issues
• Analyse operational and safety data to identify trends, risks and areas needing regulatory attention
• Build professional relationships with regulated organisations while keeping regulatory independence and objectivity
• Represent the CAA at industry meetings, working groups and stakeholder engagements
• Contribute to regulatory policy development and continuous improvement across ATM oversight
• Coach, mentor and deliver inspector training to develop colleagues
• Champion CAA values, professional standards and commitment to diversity and inclusion

What’s required

Registration & licences

• ATCO Licence held, or in exceptional circumstances previously held

Experience

• Significant operational experience in an Air Traffic Services environment
• Applying operational procedures and safety requirements in a regulated aviation setting
• Making proportionate, evidence-based decisions in safety-critical environments

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of UK ATM/ANS regulatory requirements and relevant ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices
• Understanding of ATS personnel licensing frameworks and modern performance-based and risk-based oversight
• Knowledge of safety management systems and risk assessment methodologies
• Thorough understanding of ATS operations and associated regulatory requirements
• Clear, evidence-based report writing, and gathering and evaluating information from multiple sources for stakeholders at all levels

Checks & eligibility

• Security clearance (SC) with five years' UK residency

Other

• Influencing organisations positively to improve safety and compliance
• Working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
• Managing competing priorities and working independently
• Applying balanced judgement in complex operational environments
• Understanding both the safety and commercial realities faced by regulated organisations
• Delivering high-quality outcomes within agreed timescales

Nice to have

• Experience conducting audits or inspections
• Lead Auditor qualification or equivalent experience
• Experience in root cause analysis and evidence-based investigations
• Current or previous Assessor endorsement
• Current or previous OJTI endorsement
• Hold or ability to hold a Class 3 Medical
• Human Factors qualifications or training
• Previous experience within a regulatory authority

What’s offered

• Professional development opportunities
• Benefits and work-life balance support set out on the careers website