Senior Air Traffic Controller — Lead Safe, Efficient Airspace

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid and retirement fund

Generous leave

ATC training facilities

Safety-focused environment

Job summary

Placements24, on behalf of our client, seeks a highly experienced Senior Air Traffic Controller to manage Cape Town International Airport airspace. You will ensure safe, orderly and expeditious flow of traffic, coordinating with pilots and ground personnel in a busy, dynamic control room.

You will mentor junior controllers, oversee radar and data processing, monitor weather impacts, and ensure adherence to ICAO standards and SACAA requirements while maintaining calm under pressure.

Qualifications

• ATC license with SACAA ratings for Tower and Approach.
• Minimum 5 years as certified ATC at a busy international airport.
• Strong decision-making and ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Experience with radar, communications and flight data processing systems.
• Knowledge of ICAO standards and local procedures.

Responsibilities

• Control and manage air traffic in assigned sectors, ensuring safe separation between aircraft on the ground and in the air.
• Communicate with pilots using standard phraseology for clearances, advisories, and traffic information.
• Monitor weather conditions and alert pilots to significant changes that may affect flight operations.
• Coordinate traffic flow with adjacent control sectors and units to ensure seamless transitions.
• Provide guidance and training to junior air traffic controllers, fostering continuous improvement and adherence to best practices.

Skills

Decision-making under pressure

Pilot communications

Mentoring junior staff

Education

ATC license (Tower/Approach)

Tools

Radar systems

Flight data processing

Job description

Placements24, on behalf of our client, seeks a highly experienced Senior Air Traffic Controller to manage Cape Town International Airport airspace. You will ensure safe, orderly and expeditious flow of traffic, coordinating with pilots and ground personnel in a busy, dynamic control room.

You will mentor junior controllers, oversee radar and data processing, monitor weather impacts, and ensure adherence to ICAO standards and SACAA requirements while maintaining calm under pressure.