Surveillance Policy Specialist

Civil Aviation Authority; Gatwick; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in Gatwick is seeking a technically skilled professional to manage frequency management for radar and IFF systems, ensuring safe spectrum use and harmonised international coordination. You will support SSR/IFF assessments and coordinate with national and international partners in a hybrid work setting.

The role requires a degree or equivalent experience, strong analytical abilities, and SC clearance.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree or equivalent industry experience.
• In-depth knowledge of cooperative and non-cooperative air traffic surveillance systems and IFF systems.
• Attention to detail and accuracy when processing technical information.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders at national and international levels.
• Good communication skills for producing and presenting documents and briefings.
• Knowledge of radio frequency engineering and/or radio propagation principles.
• Security clearance to UK Government SC level is required.

Responsibilities

• Support the NISC as the NISC Technical Officer and secretary per CAP761.
• Assess SSR/IFF systems for safe and efficient use of 1030/1090MHz spectrum.
• Coordinate civilian PSR approvals and military PSR requirements.
• Maintain PSR/SSR radar databases and CAP 761 documentation.
• Review and issue Mode S exemptions for airborne surveillance equipment.
• Act as UK focal point for Eurocontrol N-SUR coordination as needed.
• Coordinate with policy specialists to align with international principles and legislation.
• Maintain ICAO 24-bit address codes and related UK authorities.

Skills

Radar surveillance

IFF systems

Team collaboration

Communication skills

RF engineering

Attention to detail

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

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Location: Gatwick, GB

Salary: £60,000 - £69,524 + (£18,551 Market Related Supplement for qualified individuals)

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: BPSS

Location: Gatwick – Hybrid

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: Friday 27th November 2026

Interview Date: w/c Monday 7th December 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 UK 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.

• 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.
• Coordinate civilian aviation and maritime Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) approvals.
• Provide coordination of military PSR 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.
• Review and issue Mode S exemptions for airborne surveillance equipage in accordance with CAA procedures, using judgment to ensure that they are appropriately justified.
• 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. In particular, act as UK focal point for Eurocontrol Network Surveillance (N-SUR) group as necessary.
• Participate in relevant frequency management forums and work with other states to ensure effective coordination
• Maintenance of relevant published information including CAA website content and internal documentation.
• Oversee and maintain the UK elements of the European SSR monitoring network

About You

• A relevant degree or equivalent 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.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in processing 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.
• 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.

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.

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

Closing Date: Friday 27th November 2026

Interview Date: w/c Monday 7th December 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

No recruitment agencies please.

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